Proteolytic anaerobic bacteria from lake sediments of Antarctica

Amongst twenty five proteolytic bacteria isolated from lake sediment sample s of Antarctica, six isolates were selected based on SDS PAGE protein profi le and zone of hydrolysis on casein agar at 10 degreesC. Most of the cultur es were rod shaped and motile with two showing terminal bulging spores. Iso lates grew between 5 degreesC to 37 degreesC and protease was induced in th e late log, stationary or death phase. Isolate SPA-3 grew maximally at 10 d egreesC and SPA-6 at 37 degreesC while others preferred 20 degreesC-30 degr eesC for growth. The growth and protease production on casein, skimmed milk , bovine serum albumin and gelatin varied with the isolates. Acetate was th e dominant volatile fatty acid (24-66% of total VFA) produced during hydrol ysis of protein substrate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserv ed.