Dextranase, 6-alpha-d-glucan 6-glucanohydrolase catalyzes the degradation of dextran (polymer of dglucose)
in to low molecular weight fractions. Dextranolytic bacterial strains were isolated from various
natural sources and plate assay methods were developed for screening of highest extracellular dextranase
producing isolate. Bacillus licheniformis, identified on the basis of taxonomic characterization was subjected
to UV radiation and highest enzyme producing mutant obtained led to 7 times more dextranase
production than wild. Optimization of major physico-chemical parameters affecting enzyme production;
including medium composition, pH, cultivation time and temperature revealed that maximum enzyme
production was obtained in a self designed medium (pH 6.0) containing 1% Dextran 5000 Da, after 24 h
culture incubation at 37 ◦C. Dextranase reported in this study is of great commercial importance as it
is strictly inducible in nature and B. licheniformis being non-pathogenic removes the safety concerns
associated with production of dextran fractions for clinical and pharmaceutical usage