1404-1410Four efficient pectinase producing thermophiles were isolated from Unhala hot water spring (16°35' N, 73°30' E) of Rajapur located in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The isolates were identified as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus Firmus, and Bacillus brevis using morphological and biochemical techniques. Being an efficient pectinase producer, Bacillus licheniformis was selected for pectinase production and further identified using 16s rRNA molecular analysis and sequence was deposited to GenBank nucleotide repository under accession number KT373817. Pectinase produced by Bacillus licheniformis using optimized condition was partially purified and molecular weight was determined as 66kda. Characterization of partially purified pectinase was carried out where it showed remarkable pectinolytic activity at 80oC temperature and pH 10.0. The extracted pectinase showed stability in presence of solvents and surfactants such as chloroform, ethanol, butanol, acetone, Tween-80 and Triton X-100 at 1% (v/v) concentration. Enhanced pectinolytic activity was observed in presence of Fe3+ ions (10 mM). Increase in antimicrobial activity of amla (Emblica Officinalis) was recorded after treatment with partially purified pectinase as a novel application for the first time
