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Bioprospecting Psychrotrophic Bacteria for Serine-Type Proteases from the Cold Areas of Western Himalayas

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Abstract

The aim of present study was to analyze the prevalence of protease diversity among psychrotrophic bacteria in Lahaul and Spiti of the Western Himalayas. A total of 459 bacteria were screened and protease activity was observed in 150 isolates at 5 °C. Furthermore, 55 isolates showed protease activity up to pH 10 at 5 °C. Based on the hydrolytic zone, 22 isolates were selected for protease quantification. The protease activity varied from 58–377 U mL−1 at 10 °C, 49–396 U mL−1 at 28 °C and 31–407 U mL−1 at 37 °C. Similarly, protease activity ranged from 36–353 U mL−1 at pH 7, 40–306 U mL−1 at pH 9 and 33–304 U mL−1 at pH 10. The isolates were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and showed phylogenetic relationship to Arthrobacter belonging to the class Actinobacteria, Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Paenibacillus, and Planomicrobium to Bacilli, and Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Stenotrophomonas to Gammaproteobacteria. Zymogram analysis revealed variations in protease isoforms ranging from 20 to 250 kDa which were strongly inhibited in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, thus indicated serine-type nature. The extensive number of serine proteases among these bacteria was confirmed by annotating genomes of the reported genera for prevalence of protease isoforms. The properties of proteases including low-temperature activity with alkaline stability and detergent compatibility suggested their suitability as bio-additives in laundry.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Director, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, for support and encouragement during the course of this investigation. The financial support received from the CSIR and award of Senior Research Fellowship to Richa Salwan is gratefully acknowledged. We gratefully acknowledge the late Dr. R.D. Singh for his wonderful suggestions in the applications of statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India

    Richa Salwan, Ramesh Chand Kasana & Arvind Gulati

  2. CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, India

    Richa Salwan, Vivek Sharma, Ramesh Chand Kasana & Arvind Gulati

  3. College of Horticulture and Forestry (Dr. YSP-University of Horticulture and Forestry), Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, 177 001, India

    Richa Salwan

  4. University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali (PB.), India

    Vivek Sharma

  5. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342 003, India

    Ramesh Chand Kasana

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  1. Richa Salwan
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RS executed experiments and MS writing. VS assisting in planning experiments and MS writing. AG and RK were involved in MS editing.

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Correspondence to Richa Salwan.

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Salwan, R., Sharma, V., Kasana, R.C. et al. Bioprospecting Psychrotrophic Bacteria for Serine-Type Proteases from the Cold Areas of Western Himalayas. Curr Microbiol 77, 795–806 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-020-01876-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-020-01876-w

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