Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Activity of the Methanotrophic Bacteria Isolated from Rice Field

Abstract

Methanotrophic bacteria have soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) enzyme known for its capability in catalyzing many pollutants transformation. The aim of this research was to measure sMMO enzyme’s activity of methanotrophs isolated from rice fields. Three methanotrophic isolates (BGM 1, BGM 9, and SKM 14) were successfully grown and purified. Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) activity was screened using Colorimetric Plate Assay. Growth curve and sMMO’s activity in oxidizing naphthalene into naphthol was measured. The results showed that only BGM 9 isolate showed highest sMMO activity (16,3 μM/hour).