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Amylase producing bacteria were isolated from soil samples collected from Almora district of
Uttarakhand, India thereafter screened for amylase activity on starch agar medium. The isolate
shown maximum clearance zone was selected for strain identification morphologically and
biochemically. The strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis which was confirmed later on through
genomic sequencing. Further, different metal ions were supplemented in production media of B.
subtilis for amylase production and found that Mg ion be the best inducer that exhibited 105.55
IU/ml/min activity followed by Ca2+ showing an activity of 88.88 IU/ml/min whereas less activity
was observed with Cu2+. Almost similar activities was recorded with Zn2+, Fe2+ and Na2+ and were
observed to be comparatively better enzyme enhancer than Cu2+. It is thus Mg may be considered a
better ion for optimum growth of the bacteria and amylase production.
Key words: Amylase, metal ions, Bacillus subtilis