SUMMARY: The collagenolytic activity of no aerobic halophilic and halotolerant bacterial strains isolated from cured hides was determined. At 2·34% (w/v) NaCl, 10% of the bacterial strains could denature purified collagen. Collagenolytic activity was not detected at 7 % (w/v) NaCl. Three of the collagenolytic strains were identified as Bacillus spp. and eight as Achromobacter spp. Nine of these eleven bacteria were also gelatinolytic. Australian hides which produce decay-free leather lacked collagenolytic bacteria.
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