OPTIMIZATION OF GROWTH CONDITIONS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF SELECTED NOVEL STREPTOMYCES SPECIES FROM KENYAN SOILS

Abstract

This study was aimed at unveiling and assessing protease, esterase, amylase and lipase enzymes  from selected novel  Streptomyces  species with biotechnological interest.  Four  Streptomyces  isolates from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology farm soil were studied. Physiochemical and biochemical characterization of the isolates was carried out. The isolates grew well at pH 6, 7, 9 and temperatures of 27.5 oC, 30 oC, and 32.5 oC. They preferentially required sodium chloride (0 g/l – 17.5 g/l) for growth. All the isolates produced amylase, lipase, protease and esterase enzymes apart from one isolate that did not produce esterase enzyme.