Molecular and biochemical characterization of a new endoinulinase producing bacterial strain of Bacillus safensis AS-08

Microbial inulinases are an important class of industrial enzymes, which are used for the production of fructooligosaccharides and high-fructose syrup. Endoinulinase producing bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples taken from the vicinity of Asparagus sp. root tubers. All the bacterial strains were screened for inulinase activity. The primary screening was carried out based on hydrolytic zone on agar plates containing inulin-based medium and Lugol’s iodine solution. Thus 30 inulinase producing bacterial strains were isolated. Out of 30 strains, 5 bacterial strains were found endoinulolytic, whereas 25 were exoinulolytic on the basis of action pattern of the enzyme. In tertiary screening, the bacterial isolate AS-08 was found to be most efficient for inulinase activity. Morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of the bacterial isolate AS-08 confirmed it as Bacillus sp. Furthermore, species-specific identification by 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed the isolate as Bacillus safensis. Bacillus pumilus SH-B30 was found to be the nearest homolog. The strain showed maximum inulinase activity (12.56 U/mL) after 20 h of incubation at 37°C.