Enzymatic dehairing of goat skins using alkaline protease from Bacillus sp. SB12

•Production, purification and characterization of an alkaline protease.•Application of the protease as a dehairing agent.•Enhancement of the quality of the skins while reducing the pollution by the enzymatic dehairing process.

The present paper reports the production, purification and biochemical characterization of an extracellular alkaline protease from Bacillus sp. SB12. The enzyme has been used as an alternative to conventional chemicals treatment for dehairing of goat skins. The protease was optimally active at 37 °C and pH 9. Starch at 2% (w/v) was used as the best carbon source and the addition of yeast extract and peptone at 1% each supported the maximum level of protease production in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+. Protease purification was performed with ammonium sulphate precipitation at 70% saturated fraction followed by dialysis and gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on non-denaturing PAGE and appeared as a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 41 kDa. This enzyme was moderately thermostable and has a wide pH stability range extending from pH 7 to 11. It showed high tolerance toward surfactants agents and organic solvents while it was completely inhibited by PMSF indicating the serine protease type. Purified protease was used to remove hair from goat skin proving its potential application in leather processing industry. The results revealed that the protease has enhanced the quality and physico-chemical properties of the skins while reducing the pollution.