Production and characterization of a halotolerant protease from Bacillus siamensis F2 for chicken byproducts valorization

Chicken byproducts (CBP) are a significant source of protein that can be valorized through the production of protein hydrolysates, which have various food applications. However, traditional proteases have limitations that can hinder their use. This study isolated a halotolerant protease enzyme from the moderate halotolerant Bacillus siamensis F2. The Bacillus siamensis F2 grew in a variety of salinities (2.5-15% NaCl), pH (5-8), and temperatures (20-60 degrees C), and the protease from F2 demonstrated optimum activity at 5% NaCl, pH 7, and 50 degrees C. Further, this study attempts to produce protein hydrolysates from CBP using Bacillus siamensis F2 protease and characterize hydrolysates by SDS-PAGE, FTIR, and examine for antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that the halotolerant protease from Bacillus siamensis F2 has the potential to efficiently hydrolyze CBP, producing a high-quality protein hydrolysate that can be used in various animal feed, fertilizer, and food industry applications.