Bacillus licheniformis

Bacillus licheniformis is a bacterium commonly found in the soil. Recently, studies have also shown that it is found on bird feathers, especially chest and back plumage, and most often in ground dwelling birds (like sparrows) and aquatic species (like ducks).

It is a gram positive, thermophillic bacterium. Optimal growth temperature is around 50°C, though it can survive at much higher temperatures. Optimal temperature for enzyme secretion is 37°C. It can exist in spore form to resist harsh environs, or in a vegetative state when conditions are good.

Currently, scientists are exploring its ability to degrade feathers for agricultural purposes. Feathers contain high amounts of non digestible proteins, but researchers hope that by fementation with B. licheniformis, they can use waste feathers to produce cheap and nutritious feather meal to feed to livestock.

Ecological research is also being done looking at the interaction between plumage colors and B. licheniformis activity, and the consequences thereof. Feather degrading bacteria may have played an important role in the evolution of molting, and patterns in feather coloration (Gloger's Rule).

Biological Washing Powder

Bacillus licheniformis is cultured in order to obtain protease for use in biological washing powder. Bacillus licheniformis is adapted to grow in alkaline conditions, and as such, the protease that it produces can withstand high pH levels, making it ideal for use within biological washing powder. The protease has a pH optimum of between 9 and 10 and is added to biological washing powder, in order to digest, and hence remove dirt comprised of proteins on garments. As a consequence, much lower temperatures need to be used, resulting in lower energy use and a lesser risk of shrinkage of garments or loss of coloured dyes.

External links

• Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of a Feather Degrading Bacteria, Williams et al, 1990
• Bacterial Degradation of Black and White Feathers, Goldstein et al, 2003