PRIMARY SCREENING FOR EXTRACELLULAR ENZYME PRODUCTION, POLY-HYDROXYBUTYRATE PRODUCTION AND SALT TOLERANCE BY BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM KUTCH REGION OF GUJARAT

Gujarat has the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India, and mangrove ecosystems are known for their extreme environments and hence extremophiles that can produce novel enzymes can be found in these extreme environments. In this study, ninety-three bacterial isolates were obtained in pure cultures from soil samples collected from Kandla, Mundra and Tuna of the Kutch region of Gujarat in the winter season. These isolates were plate-screened for their ability to produce six extracellular enzyme activities using their respective methods in order to find new isolates for their possible applications. Six enzymes amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, oxidase, and catalase were mostly present in these isolates. The isolates were also screened for their ability to produce the bioplastic Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Further, these isolates were tested for their ability to survive at different salinity levels. Among the isolates, HK47, HM19, HTA1 and HT83 were the highest amylase, lipase, protease and cellulase producers respectively. Isolates HM27, HM82 and HTA2 had shown their polyenzyme activity. HT64 and HM88 were emerged as Halotolerant while HM89, HM90 and HM91 were possible Halophiles. As the bacteria isolated have the potential to produce valuable extremozymes and bioplastic, they can be used further as a key for major industrial applications.