Isolation and Characterization of a New Type of Collagenase Producing Bacterium, Bacillus alvei DC-1

Abstract

A bacterium capable of using collagen as sole carbon and nitrogen sources was isolated and identified as Bacillus alvei DC-1. The specific activity of the ammonium sulfate fraction (80% saturation) was 3.81×10⁷ Mandle units/mg. Also, in the collagen substrate, the optimum pHs were 4.5, 6.0, and 7.0. This strain produced a new type of collagenase, which had optimal activity at an acidic pH.