Study on Tannase Producing Bacillus megaterium Isolated from Tannery Effluent

Abstract

Tannery effluent containing soil samples were used for isolating best tannase producer. Bacteria were isolated from the soil samples after enrichment of the effluent using tannin as a carbon source. The best tannase producer was isolated and identified as Bacillus megaterium. The tannase activity of the Bacillus megaterium was analysed using modified spectrophotometric method of Sharma et al., 2000 and was found to have10.77 U/ml/ min enzyme activity. The effect of various parameters like inoculum size, pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen source on tannase activity were also evaluated. The result shows that tannase activity was maximum at pH 6, temperature at 37 ̊ C and inoculum size of 10%. Addition of glucose, peptone, yeast extract reduced the tannase activity. Tannase activity of Bacillus megaterium was further confirmed by detection of gallic acid using chromatographic method. Keywords: Tannase, Bacillus, Gallic acid , Tannery Effluent