OPTIMIZATION OF ALKALINE Α-AMYLASE PRODUCTION BY THERMOPHILIC .

Background: Starch-degrading amylase enzyme is important in biotechnological applications as food, fermentation, textile, paper and pharmaceutical purposes. The aim of current study to isolate alkaline thermostable α-amylase bacteria and then study the composition of medium and culture conditions to optimize cells growth and a-amylase production.

Materials And Methods: Thermophilic amylase producing bacterium was isolated from local hot water-springs in Gazan city Saudi Arabia.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis of 16 S rRNA sequence for the strain revealed that the strain have the same sequence of . Maximum amylase production was observed, when cultured in medium containing starch at concentration 0.5%, and 10 g/L peptones as nitrogen source at pH 8.5 in when it was incubated for 48 h at 45°C.

Conclusion: An amylase-producing bacterium were isolated from hot-spring water and was identified as . Amylase produced from had optimum temperature 45°C and pH 8.5 in shaking media.