_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: Email: lilianeleanya@gmail.com; Original Research Article Asian Journal of Plant and Soil Sciences 6(1): 262-268, 2021 SCREENING OF AMYLASE PRODUCING BACTERIA L. C. Eleanya a* , C. A. UDEKWE a , E. N. EZEUME b , C. C. EZEMBA a , I. S. ANAGOR c AND S. N. EZEKWUECHE a a Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria. b Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. c Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Received: 08 October 2021 Accepted: 17 December 2021 Published: 28 December 2021 __________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Microbial enzymes have a lot of properties which makes them useful for particular works. Amylases are enzymes that break down starch or glycogen. In this work, potential amylase producing bacterial strain were isolated from soil and screened for amylase production. This was achieved by observation of clear zone of starch hydrolysis in starch agar plate, determination of amylase activity of crude amylase produced in submerged fermentation. Identification of the best isolate was achieved by biochemical tests analysis, morphological and microscopic characteristics, observation of clear zone of starch hydrolysis in starch agar plate. The isolates were Bacillus subtilis A 1 , Bacillus subtilis A 2 and Bacillus subtilis B 2 . This study has shown that the studied samples harbored amylase producing Bacillus species of which Bacillus subtilis A 1 exhibited the highest starch hydrolysis ratio (SHR). Keywords: Microbial enzyme; amylase; starch hydrolysis ratio. 1. INTRODUCTION Amylases are among the most important enzyme and account for about 30% of the world’s enzyme production [1]. Amylases are enzymes that breaks down the glycosidic linkage in starch to generate smaller sugars for industrial use [2]. Sing and Kumari, [2] also stated that amylase are the most important enzymes used in biotechnology. There are various sources of amylases which icludes plants, animals and microorganisms. Enzymes of microbial origin generally meet industrial demands. The study of various microorganisms, especially bacteria and fungi has helped to characterize amylases. Microbial production of amylase is more beneficial than other sources because it is economical [3]. Bacteria produces of high amount of amylases with unique properties such as stability and cost effectiveness. Catalytic effect of microbial enzymes as well as their relevance in biotechnology are better understood due to researches. The hydrolytic effect of enzymes produced by various microorganisms has made many industries resign to their potentialities in different industrial operations. It has been discovered that microbial enzymes which are natural products are stronger than artificial enzymes with different characteristics on many areas. Microbes are considerably easy to manipulate and is perceived as a major advantage during bulk productions of amylase in industries, which often benefits us economically [4]. The present work is a preliminary screening for amylase producing bacteria from soil.