Bacteria with industrial potential from Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Abstract

Bacteria with industrial potential in Lake Nakuru were isolated and characterised over six months in 2010. The enzymatic activities of 30 isolates towards various macromolecules were investigated by testing their ability to degrade starch, cellulose, casein and lipid substrates. Fifteen isolates exhibited an ability to degrade macromolecules, with some able to hydrolyse two or more macromolecules, including 8 degrading starch, 6 proteins, 5 cellulose and 5 lipids. The genomic DNA of the LNS08, LNC09, LNC11 and LNC06 isolates, which showed the highest potential to degrade macromolecules, were analysed and their identity closely related to the known bacteria Nesterenkonia lacusekhoensis (LNS08), Bacillus agaradhaerens (LNC06) and Bacillus sp. accession no. AB043860.1 (LNC09 and LNC11). Nesterenkonia lacusekhoensis can be used as a lipid degrader, B. agaradhaerens can be used in the degradation of proteins and Bacillus sp. accession no. AB043860.1 has potential for the production of sugars from starch and cellulose. Lake Nakuru is thus a rich source of alkaliphilic bacteria that can be used in industry.

Keywords: alkaliphilic, Bacillus, enzymes, macromolecules