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Volume :29 Issue : 1 2002
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Noteworthy salt-loving actinomycetes from Kuwait
Auther : SHEIKLHA S. AL-ZARBAN**, AZZA A. AL-MUSALLAM*, IBRAHIM H. ABBAS* AND YUNUS A. FASASI**
*Department of Biological Sciences. Kuwait University, P.O.Box 5969, Safat 13060,Kuwait. e-mail: microbioiogy@hotmail.com
**Washington Slate University at Pullman, Washington, 99164-4234
ABSTRACT
Two newly described actinomycetes, isolated from salt marsh soil in the southern part of Kuwait, are reported to degrade feather keratin. The first is a halotolerant Nocardiopsis sp. and the second is a halophilic Saccharomonospora sp.. Both species showed keratinase activities in the culture filtrate in the presence of feather meal as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The keratinase activities of both species were repressed when 1% glucose was included in the medium. These halophilic actinomycetes and their keratinolytic enzymes can be of great importance in understanding mechanisms of adaptation of microorganisms to saline environments. They may also be of some biotechnological application.
Keywords: Halophilic; halotolerant; keratinophilic actinomycetes.