Resumen
Amylase production by Bacillus licheniformis isolated from fish gut was statistically optimized using grape fruit peels in submerged fermentation. Nutritional parameters were optimized through one factor at a time approach. The selected parameters were grape fruit peels as carbon source, ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source, magnesium sulphate as mineral salt. These parameters along with initial medium pH was optimized through central composite design of response surface methodology. Maximum amylase production was observed at 5% grape fruit peels, 0.9% ammonium nitrate, 0.6% magnesium sulphate when initial pH of medium was adjusted 7. The amylase was optimally active at pH 9 at 80°C. The highest enzyme activity at 80ºC depicted the potential use of the strain especially in textiles and paper industrial processes which are performed at high temperatures.