Isolation of new thermophilic aerobic bacteria which produse thermostable .ALPHA.-amylase.

Three strains of endospore forming, thermophilic and aerobic bacteria tentatively named JF1, JF2 and D strains were isolated from Chinese traditional koji. These strains were gram positive and belonged to the genus Bacillus. The optimal growth temperature was 55 to 65°C; and the optimal pH, 6 to 8. They produced extracellular thermostable α-amylase in media containing lactose, galactose, raffinose, ethanol or other carbohydrates.It is suggested that strains JF and D are two new species of the Bacillus genus.