Continuous production of halophilic alpha-amylase through whole cell immobilization of Halobacterium salinarium

The cells of Halobacterium salinarium were immobilized in calcium alginate beads and a polyvinyl alcohol film with an aim to improve the production of halophilic alpha-amylase. The cells of Halobacterium salinarium were stabilized by cross-linking with 0.5% glutaraldehyde. Such cells were found to be osmotically stable and showed continuous production of the enzyme for several days (45 d). The stabilized cells could be permeabilized by treatment with chloroform without leakage of intracellular components. This technique can serve as a tool for studying in situ regulatory characteristics of intracellular functions in halobacteria and can also help in their reuse under more stabilized conditions for biotechnological applications.