TAXONOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE THERMOPHILIC ACTINOMYCETE STRAIN 21E \u96 PRODUCER OF THERMOSTABLE COLLAGENASE

The thermophilic actinomycete strain 21E isolated from saline Bulgarian soils produced a highly thermostable collagenase. Macro- and micromorphological characteristics of the strain were tested on fourteen media. Some physiological and biochemical properties, enzyme activities, as well as the antibiotic activity and sensitivity were examined. It was concluded that the strain 21E was a typical member of the genus Thermoactinomyces. The comparative references to Thermoactinomyces species with similar taxonomic characteristics identified the strain as Thermoactinomyces sacchari. T. sacchari strain 21E was resistant to the antibiotic novobiocine, and displayed protease, amylase, collagenase and lipase activities