International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278 - 3202 2 2 2013 February 10 Isolation, Partial purification and Characterization of Keratinase from Bacillus megaterium 13 20 EN Farzaneh Hosseini 1 Faculty of Bioscience, Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, IRAN Adlgostar Afsoon 2 Faculty of Bioscience, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, IRAN Fariba Sharifnia 3 Panchal HetalK. 1 Dolat Usha Institute of Applied Sciences, Valsad; Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, Gujarat, INDIA Trivedi RatnaA. 2 Shree Ram Krishna Institute of Comp. Edu. and Applied Sciences; Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, Gujarat, INDIA Desai PratibhaB. 3 Venkata Saibabu 1 Dept. of Biochemistry, Center for Post Graduate Studies, Jain University, Jayanagar 3rd Block, Bangalore-560011, Karnataka, INDIA Francois NiyongaboNiyonzima 2 More SunilS. 3 > Research Paper 2012 10 30 2013 February 10 A positive keratinase-producing bacterium from soil sample was screened and identified as Bacillus megaterium. The selected growth medium contained feather meal as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen at pH 10.0. The partially purified keratinase has a molecular mass of 41±1 kDa, optimum pH in the alkaline region (9.0) and optimum temperature of 50șC. and Co2+ slightly inhibited the enzyme activity whereas Hg2+ exhibited a complete inhibition. NEM, IAA, TLCK and NAI moderately inhibited the enzyme whereas PMSF strongly inhibited the keratinase suggesting serine at the active site; however EDTA did not inhibit the enzyme. The isolated strain was thermotolerant and alkalophilic bacterium which can therefore be used in leather processing and detergent industry. Copyright@ International Science Community Association