comparative characterization of indigenous keratinase enzymes from district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

To isolate and characterize keratinolytic fungi and bacteria from indigenous soils, a total of 80 samples were collected from Ghari Mori District. Khairpur, and these organisms were isolated using standard microbiological technique. The isolated keratinolytic microorganisms comprised: Absidia sp., Chrysosporium asperatum, Chrysosporium keratinophilum, Entomophthora coronata, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and their keratinolytic properties were distinguished from the production of keratinase by measurement of zone of hydrolysis on skimmed milk agar [P<0.05]. C. keratinophylum and B. subtilis produced largest zone among all the isolated species. The crude keratinase revealed that the optimum time for production of the enzyme was seven days, optimum temperature 30°C and optimum pH 9 for C.keratinophylum but for B. subtilis, the optimum time was three days, optimum temperature 37°C and optimum pH 7. The enzyme activity of C. keratinophylum and B. subtilis were determined to be 220 U/ml and 260 U/ml respectively [P< 0.05]

Bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur City

To determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water of Sukkur city. A descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Diagnostic and Research Centre, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh from January to December 2007. A total of 120 samples were analyzed by membrane filter method. Drinking water samples from main storage, distribution line and consumer taps were analyzed. All 120 samples [100%] were found contaminated with total coliform bacteria and 98 [82%] samples were found to be contaminated with thermotolerant Escherichia coli. Chlorine [residual] was not found in any of the samples. Drinking water samples were heavily contaminated with coliform and faecal coliform organisms making it unsuitable for drinking. Pakistan population should be encouraged to use boiled water for drinking, till the time that safe drining water is made available to all

Hair bait technique a method for isolation of the keratinases producing micro-organisms from soil

This paper states the methods of keratin baiting for isolation of keratinases producing microbes. Hair Bait Technique [HBT] is a specific method for isolation of the keratinases producing microbes [fungi and bacteria] from soil. There are several industrial and domestic applications of these enzymes