Phenotypic Characterization and Synthesis of Extracellular Catecholase from a Newly Isolated Bacterium Pseudomonas sp. BSC-6

Abstract

Catecholase (EC 1.10.3.1), an oxidoreductase enzyme is a key member of polyphenol oxidase family which catalyze the degradation of catechol. This enzyme possesses vast applications in diverse areas and is found in bacteria, fungi, mushrooms, higher plants, arthropods, amphibians and mammals. Catechol, a phenolic compound, is used as a starting material in the synthesis of various industrial compounds such as inhibitors, antioxidants, pesticides etc. The release of this phenolic compound in the environment causes toxicity to both flora and fauna. In the present studies, emphasis has been laid on isolation, screening and characterization of catechol degrading bacterium coupled with synthesis of catecholase enzyme. Further, the selected isolated strain was HIGHLIGHTS• A catechol degrading bacterium (BSC-6) was isolated from soil and effluent samples.• Detailed phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the selected isolate was made.• The characterization results reveal its close resemblance with genus Pseudomonas.• After scale up studies, maximum catecholase activity of 152.32 IU/L was achieved.2 Lugani.Y.; et al.