The goal of the current study is to identify the strains that produce the most amylase during submerged fermentation and to optimize the cultural conditions for the highest possible level of alpha amylase production. The soil sample was collected in and around Karnataka, and screened for amylase producing bacterial strains on nutrient agar plates. Amylase positive bacterial strains were identified and recorded based on the clear zone formation around the bacterial growth. Amylase producing bacteria was grown on the starch production media in submerged fermentation method. Optimization of cultural conditions like incubation period, pH, temperature, salt concentration, carbon & nitrogen sources was carried out. DNS method of enzyme assay was followed and activity was expressed in IU. Study findings delineated that newly isolated bacterial strain Bacillus sp. yields maximum enzyme production at 40°C & pH 8.0 when incubated for 48 h under submerged fermentation. Furthermore, optimum amylase enzyme production from Bacillus sp. was obtained when starch was used as carbon source and yeast extract as nitrogen source under submerged fermentation. At NaCl concentration of 3.0% highest amylase production was observed under submerged fermentation using newly isolated Bacillus sp. Therefore, newly isolated Bacillus sp. having potentials of industrial biotechnological applications and hence, it could be recommended for large scale production to exploit industrial purposes.

Submerged fermentation (SmF), Bacillus sp., Alpha-amylase, Optimization