Queiroga, A. CatarinaPintado, Manuela E.Malcata, F. Xavier2013-01-282013-01-282013QUEIROGA, A. Catarina; PINTADO, M. E.; MALCATA, F. Xavier - Wool-associated proteolytic bacteria, isolated from Portuguese Merino breed. Small Ruminant Research. ISSN 0921-4488. Vol. 109, n.º 1 (2013), p. 38–460921-4488http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/9997The main purpose of this study was to isolate and briefly characterize proteolytic bacteria from a poorly known habitat - raw wool. Fleece samples were accordingly collected from Merino raw wool - a Portuguese ewe breed, at three distinct areas of their body, from animals exhibiting no symptoms or signs of abnormalities: they were then subjected to enumeration and isolation of a total of 158 bacterial strains. Said isolates were screened for protease activity, using the spot technique, on Calcium Caseinate Agar containing 1% (w/v) skim milk. The 36 isolates displaying the highest protease activity underwent a more refined assessment of enzymatic performance - by examining their cell-free supernatant extracts, using casein as substrate. Two Bacillus isolates were eventually chosen owing to their highest proteolytic activities (24.6 and 15.9 U/mL), and identified using molecular biology tools.engSheepFleeceWool microfloraKeratinCaseinolytic activityjournal article10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.09.0051879-0941WOS:000312509900007