Effectiveness mutagenesis of Bacillus subtilis using EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate) to increase xylanase enzyme activity

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effect of mutagenizing Bacillus subtilis with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) for xylanase production and evaluate the effect of different xylan concentrations from corn cobs. The xylanase enzyme is an enzyme that can reduce the xylan content which is an anti-nutrient in animal feed. The wild-type Bacillus subtilis was treated with 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml of EMS. The mutants generated were selected for xylanase production in a medium containing xylan from corn cobs as a carbon source. The parameters observed included: Total Plate Count (TPC) and reducing sugar (xylose). Protein concentration and xylanase enzymes were analyzed using the Bradford method and 3.5 Dinitro salicylic acid for reducing sugar according to Miller methods respectively. Five mutants developed from each of the EMS concentrations. Approximately 6 and 6.8 % of the mutants developed from 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml of EMS had higher xylanase activities than the wild type and protein and xylose concentrations were higher than the wild type. From the results of the research, it can be seen that the use of EMS compounds has the potential to increase enzyme activity so that it can be potential in reducing antinutrients in animal feedstuff.