Production and characterization of a new detergent-stable keratinase expressed by Pedobacter sp. 3.14.7, a novel Antarctic psychrotolerant keratin-degrading bacterium

Abstract

Background Antarctica is one of the harshest environments in the world. Despite this fact, it has been colonized by microorganisms, which had to develop different adaptations in order to survive. By studying their enzymes, we can harness these adaptations in order to use them in various industrial processes. Keratinases (E.C. 3.4.99.11) are characterized by their robustness in withstanding extreme conditions and, along with other enzymes, are commonly added to laundry detergents, which makes their study of industrial interest. Results In this work, a novel keratinase producer, Pedobacter sp. 3.14.7 (MF 347939.1), isolated from Antarctic birds’ nests, was identified. This psychrotolerant isolate displays a typical psychrotolerant growth pattern, with an optimal temperature of 20 °C (μmax=0.23 h−1). After 238 h, maximum proteolytic (22.00 ± 1.17 U ml−1) and keratinolytic (33.04 ± 1.09 U ml−1) activities were achieved with a feather sample conversion of approximately 85%. The keratinase present in crude extract was characterized as a metalloprotease with a molecular weight of 25 kDa, stable in a wide range of pH, with an optimum pH of 7.5. Optimum temperature was 55 °C. Wash performance at 20 °C using this crude extract could remove completely blood stain from cotton cloth. Conclusion We report a new keratinolytic bacteria from maritime Antarctica. Among its biochemical characteristics, its stability in the presence of different detergents and bleaching agents and its wash performance showed promising results regarding its potential use as a laundry detergent additive.

Purification and characterization of a high molecular weight serine protease from Microbacterium paraoxydans sp. SKS10

“…The protease retained 25%–40% of its activity in the presence of other laundry detergents, such as Ghadi, Fena, and Henko. The detergent‐compatible proteases from Bacillus had also shown compatibility with various laundry detergents, such as Ariel (Procter and Gamble), Henko (Henkel Spic India Limited), and Surf Excel (Hindustan Lever Limited) 42 , 47 – 49 …”

“…The detergent-compatible proteases from Bacillus had also shown compatibility with various laundry detergents, such as Ariel (Procter and Gamble), Henko (Henkel Spic India Limited), and Surf Excel (Hindustan Lever Limited). 42,[47][48][49] 3.3.9…”

Thermoactive metallo-keratinase from Bacillus sp. NFH5: Characterization, structural elucidation, and potential application as detergent additive

“…NFH5 1879.09 8.0 90 Metallo 39 This study Fervidobacterium islandicum AW-1 – 9 100 – >200, 97 [ 58 ] Bacillus circulans DZ100 15,000 12.5 85 Serine 32 [ 59 ] Pedobacter sp. 3.14.7 33.04 7.5 55 Metallo 25 [ 61 ] Pseudomonas aeruginosa KS-1 1200 9 60 Serine 45 [ 62 ] Bacillus cereus YQ15 925 10 60 Serine-metallo – [ 63 ] Acinetobacter sp. R-1 188 11 50 Metallo 25 [ 64 ] Chryseobacterium L99 sp.…”

Biochemical and molecular characterization of novel keratinolytic protease from Bacillus licheniformis (KRLr1)

“…Manonmani et al (2015) , reported in their study that keratinase enzyme obtained from Bacillus tropicus strain Gxun-17 has the highest activity at neutral pH close to alkaline. Rios et al (2022) investigated the Pedobacter sp. 3.14.7 strain among the 7 bacterial strains with keratinase activity isolated from Antarctic birds’ nests.…”