초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Phytases have gathered considerable attention in recent years due to their applications in human and animal nutrition, environmental protection and biotechnology. Phytases were isolated and characterized from a variety of bacteria and fungi but rarely from actinomycetes. In the present study, a <I>Nocardia</I> sp. MB 36, isolated from rice mill waste, was found to be a producer of a thermostable and acid/alkalistable phytase. Optimization of phytase production by Plackett–Burman designed experiments indicated that wheat bran, medium pH, FeSO<SUB>4</SUB> and CaCl<SUB>2</SUB> are the most effective fermentation variables that influence the phytase yield under submerged fermentation. Further optimization of these four variables by using Closed‐Composite‐Design of response surface methodology resulted in enhancement of phytase production by 64.14%. This newly isolated phytase from <I>Nocardia</I> sp. has potentially desirable features for animal feed applications.</P>