Abstract
A tannase-producing soil bacteria has been isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus. It can degrade tannic acid and produce maximum tannase (0.22 U/ml) at stationary phases of growth (24 h). Maximum growth and enzyme production occurred with initial medium pH of 4.5–5.0. Partial purified tannase showed optimum activity at pH 4.5 and 40°C. It remains stable up to 30°C and pH 4.5 to 5.0. The enzyme is salt tolerant, stable up to 2 M of NaCl and retains 82% original activity in 3 M.
