Effective Enzyme-Producing Bacteria Isolated from Diversified Thai Rice and Native Thai Bees (Cavity Nesting Honey Bees) and their Potential for Production of Protease Enzymes

Background: Thailand is one of the most bio-diversified countries in Southeast Asia, especially regarding plants, animals and microbes that impact directly on human and animal life. Methods: Of the 201 bacterial isolates that were screened from Thai rice and bees in Ratchaburi and Chiang Mai provinces, Thailand, most were classified in the genus Bacillus. Result: From the morphological test and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence study, three strains, Bacillus flexus KRptI_S2, Microbacterium paraoxydans C13HN2 and Paenibacillus hunanensis KRrb_T2, could produce amylase and protease enzyme and non-hemolytic activity at higher temperature. The highest enzymatic activity of protease was produced by P. hunanensis KRrb_T2 (378.9967±1.335 U.mL-1) at 36 h. Conclusion: In summary, the bacteria from Thai rice and bees could be potential suitable sources of protease production for development by the food and beverage industries globally.