Studies on anaerobic proteolytic bacteria of Leh, India

Five anaerobic proteolytic bacteria were isolated from water bodies of Leh, India, where the ambient temperature varies from -25 to 25 degrees C. Isol ates showed growth at all temperatures ranging from 5 to 37 degrees C excep t SPL-4 and SPL-5 which showed no growth at 5 degrees C. The cultures could grow and produce proteases on various protein substrates and the yield var ied with the substrates. Two of the cultures showed the presence of spores. Acetate was the dominant VFA during hydrolysis of protein substrates.