A bacterial strain capable of producing extracellular
alpha-galactosidase was isolated from
sugar cane industrial waste soil sample. Microbiological, physiological, and biochemical studies revealed that isolate belonged to Bacillus sp,. Furthermore, 16S
rDNA sequence analysis of new isolates was identified as Bacillus megaterium VHM1. The production of
alpha-galactosidase was optimized by various physical culture conditions.
Guar gum and yeast extract acted as the best
carbon and
nitrogen source, respectively for the production of
alpha-galactosidase. The
enzyme showed an optimum pH at 7.5 and was stable over a pH between 5 and 9. The
enzyme was optimally active in 55degreesC and the
enzyme was thermostable with half life of 120 minutes at 55 degrees C and lost their 90%, residual activity in 120 minutes at 60 degrees C.
alpha-Galactosidase was strongly inhibited by Ag2, Cu2, and Hg2+ at 1mM concentration. The
metal ions Fe2, Mn2+, and Mg2+ had no effect on
alpha-galactosidase activity, Zn2+,Ni2+, and Ca2+ reduced the
enzyme activity slightly. The B megaterium VHM1
enzyme treatment completely hydrolyzed
flatulence-causing
sugars of soymilk within one and half hour.