Biotechnological Potential of a Thermostable and pH-Stable Protease from Bacillus sp. AM12: An Innovative Approach for Wool Biodegradation and Industrial Applications

Hussein, Ahmed; Kabeil, Sanaa; El-Tokhy, Nabil; Omar, Sanaa; Elbahloul, Yasser

doi:10.21608/fpmpeb.2025.414829

Biotechnological Potential of a Thermostable and pH-Stable Protease from Bacillus sp. AM12: An Innovative Approach for Wool Biodegradation and Industrial Applications

Document Type : Research Article (Original Research)

Authors

¹ Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University

² Proteins Research Department, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt

³ 3Pharmaceutical Bio-Products Research Department, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt

10.21608/fpmpeb.2025.414829

Abstract

Biodegradation of wool fibers using microbial proteases is an environmentally friendly sustainable biotechnology used as a substitute for regular chemical treatments. This study isolated and identified a potent wool-degrading Bacillus sp. AM12 from soil and water samples in Egypt. The isolated bacterium's maximum strong proteolytic activity (180.7 U/ml) was detected upon growth on the APPB medium, confirming wool as an inducer. The crude enzyme was identified as an alkaline protease enzyme with optimal activity at pH 10 and 60°C. Wool degradation by crude enzyme was confirmed by a decrease of weight without shrinkage, while SEM imaging revealed surface smoothing and modifications. Anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography were used for enzyme purification, resulting in a 2.66-fold increase in purity and a specific activity of 5.6 U/mg. SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme predicted its molecular weight at 24 kDa. Moreover, the enzyme retained its thermostability, pH stability and over 80% activity in commercial detergents such as SDS and Tween-80, confirming its industrial biotechnological compatibility. These findings showed the potential of Bacillus sp. AM12 protease as a sustainable and effective alternative in industrial wool treatment.

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