ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MANNANOLYTIC BACTERIA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PREBIOTIC MANNOOLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM COPRA MEAL

Abstract

Present study was aimed to isolate a bacterium producing mannanase using copra meal as substrate for the production of
mannooligosaccharides (MOS) with effective prebiotic characteristics. In this regard, isolation and screening of the
bacterial isolates was done on the basis of mannanase yield, ability to hydrolyze copra meal, and growth promoting effect
of MOS in the hydrolysate on the gut bacteria. Isolate MAN-7 was selected and identified as Bacillus subtilis MAN7 using
16Sr RNA sequencing. Other than the mannanase, bacterium was also found to produce an array of hydrolytic enzymes
including lipase, pectinase, laccase, amylase, cellulase, xylanase, lignin peroxidase and protease; increasing horizons for its
enzymes applicability in various biocatalysts based industrial processes. Mannanase produced from Bacillus subtilis MAN7
was used for the production of MOS from copra meal. MOS of varying degree of polymerization (DP) produced were
detected using thin layer chromatography (TLC). MOS produced from copra represents an opportunity for the
development of a cheaper prebiotics in coming future.