Production of Fibrinolytic Enzyme by Soil Actinobacteria

Thrombotic diseases are increasingly becoming among the prominent causes of death across the globe. Researchers are now turning attention towards fibrinolytic enzymes as potential alternative treatment for thrombolytic diseases. This present study focused on the production of extracellular fibrinolytic enzyme from soil Actinobacteria and evaluation of its hydrolytic activity on blood clot. The Actinobacteria was isolated from compost soil of semi-arid climate in Nigeria. Bacterial isolation was achieved using starch casein agar. Potent fibrinolytic enzyme producing Actinobacteria were identified and subjected to enzyme production using submerged fermentation method. The interactive effects of incubation time, temperature, pH and media components on enzyme production were analysed. Extracellular fibrinolytic enzyme produced by the selected Actinobacteria was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and subsequently assayed for blood clot lysis activity. Results of these studies indicated that fibrinolytic enzyme was produced optimally at pH 8 and temperature of 40 oC after 72 hour of fermentation. Partially purified fibrinolytic enzyme was able to degrade blood clot comparable to the positive control. These results shows that soil Actinobacteria of unexplored semi-arid climate of Nigeria present a prospect in search of novel microorganisms with potentials in the production of fibrinolytic enzyme that can serve as an alternative blood clot buster in treating thrombolytic diseases.