Screening and characterization of thermophilic bacteria (lipase, cellulase and amylase producers) from hot springs in Saudi Arabia

This study was conducted to screen and characterize the thermophilic bacteria from two hot springs in Saudi Arabia. Thirteen strains of the thermophilic bacteria were isolated. Isolation was followed by characterizing of their morphological (cellular and colonial morphology) and physiological properties (growth temperature, pH range and halotolerance, secretion of amylases, cellulases and lipases). Carbohydrate metabolism was also investigated by growing them on many carbohydrates as a sole carbon source. The isolates were alkaliphilic and halotolerant, with a growth temperature ranging from 50 to 70 degrees C. All isolates were lipase positive, 11 isolates showed different amylase activity, while only 3 isolates showed different cellulase activity.