Production of thermostable keratinase from Bacillus pumilus KS12 was enhanced up to seven fold by statistical methods. The enzyme was partially purified by ultrafiltration followed by thermal precipitation with purity of 3.2-fold and recovery of 89%. Keratinase was immobilized using covalent method by crosslinking 2 mg protein (688 U/mg) onto 1 g chitin activated with 2.5% (v/v) glutaraldehyde for 60 min. Its comparative biochemical studies with that of free keratinase revealed the shift in optimum pH with increased stability towards pH from 9.0 to 10.0 and temperature. Also, it showed statistically significant improved hydrolysis of a number of soluble and insoluble substrates in comparison to free keratinase. Owing to improved catalytic efficiency of immobilized keratinase, its potential for degradation of Sup35NM was evaluated, where 100 mu g of enzyme could degrade 60 mu g Sup35NM after 60 min at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.