Keratinolytic Bacillus sp. AJ4 and Bacillus sp. AJ9 isolated from feather dumped soil produced keratinase of 82 U/ml (specific activity of 37.3 U/mg) and 78 U/ml (specific activity of 34.2 U/mg), respectively at pH 7 and 10. Keratinase of Bacillus sp. AJ4 exhibited increased stability (82-94% and ~50%) in Triton X-100 and H2O2. Bacillus sp. AJ9 keratinase was 100% stable in SDS. The rice seeds treated with feather hydrolysate showed 30% increased vigour index. Significant stability towards detergents, improved feed conversion ratio and plant growth confirms the suitability of keratinase from Bacillus sp. AJ4 and AJ9 for agricultural applications.
Bacillus sp., Keratinase, Vigour index, PGPR
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