Bilal Kerouaz

EDUCATION

Education
2011– 2021: PhD in biochemistry
Production, purification, biochemical and molecular characterization of
Keratinolytic enzymes.
University of Annaba-Algeria
2009–2011: Master degree in biochemistry, health and agri-food industry
University of Annaba-Algeria
2009–2011: Bachelor degree in biochemistry
University of Annaba-Algeria
Traineeship
2014-2015 (4 months): Traineeship in protein engineering and purification
The center of protein engineering-Liege-Belgium
2013-2014 (6 months): Traineeship in protein purification
Center of biotechnology of Sfax- Tunisia-
2012: Traineeship in molecular cloning and gene heteroexpresion
Faculty of pharmacy of Monastir -Tunisia
2012: Traineeship in thesis methodology and Endnote management
University of Annaba-Algeria

Scopus Publications

Large-scale analysis of the genome of the rare alkaline-halophilic Stachybotrys microspora reveals 46 cellulase genes
Salma Abdeljalil, Ines Borgi, Ines Ben Hmad, Fakher Frikha, Olivier Verlaine, Bilal Kerouaz, Nesrine Kchaou, Ali Ladjama, Ali Gargouri
FEBS Open Bio, 2023
Fungi are of great importance in biotechnology, for example in the production of enzymes and metabolites. The main goal of this study was to obtain a high-coverage draft of the Stachybotrys microspora genome and to annotate and analyze the genome sequence data. The rare fungus Stachybotrys microspora N1 strain is distinguished by its ability to grow in an alkaline halophilic environment and to efficiently secrete cellulolytic enzymes. Here, we report the draft genome sequence composed of 3,715 contigs, a genome size of 35,343,854 bp, with a GC content of 53.31% and a coverage around 20.5 X. The identification of cellulolytic genes and of their corresponding functions was carried out through analysis and annotation of the whole genome sequence. Forty-six cellulases were identified using the fungi companion bioinformatic tool. Interestingly, an S. microspora endoglucanase selected from those with a low isoelectric point was predicted to have a halophilic profile and share significant homology with a well-known bacterial halophilic cellulase. These results confirm previous biochemical studies revealing a halophilic character, which is a very rare feature among fungal cellulases. All these properties suggest that cellulases of S. microspora may have potential for use in the biofuel, textile, and detergent industries.
Statistical optimization of a novel extracellular alkaline and thermostable amylase production from thermophilic Actinomadura keratinilytica sp. Cpt29 and its potential application in detergent industry
Marwa Kherouf, Amina Habbeche, Fatiha Benamia, Boudjema Saoudi, Bilal Kerouaz, Ali Ladjama
Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 2021
Purification and biochemical characterization of two novel extracellular keratinases with feather-degradation and hide-dehairing potential
Bilal Kerouaz, Bassem Jaouadi, Alain Brans, Boudjema Saoudi, Amina Habbeche, Soumeya Haberra, Hafedh Belghith, Ali Gargroui, Ali Ladjama
Process Biochemistry, 2021
Artificial neural networks and response surface methodology approach for optimization of an eco-friendly and detergent-stable lipase production from Actinomadura keratinilytica strain Cpt29
Noura Semache, Fatiha Benamia, Bilal Kerouaz, Inès Belhaj, Selma Bounour, Hafedh Belghith, Ali Gargouri, Ali Ladjama, Zeineddine Djeghaba
Acta Chimica Slovenica, 2021
This work mainly focused on the production of an efficient, economical, and eco-friendly lipase (AKL29) from Actinomadura keratinilytica strain Cpt29 isolated from poultry compost in north east of Algeria, for use in detergent industries. AKL29 shows a significant lipase activity (45 U/mL) towards hydrolyzed triacylglycerols, indicating that it is a true lipase. For maximum lipase production the modeling and optimization of potential culture parameters such as incubation temperature, cultivation time, and Tween 80 (v/v) were built using RSM and ANN approaches. The results show that both the two models provided good quality predictions, yet the ANN showed a clear superiority over RSM for both data fitting and estimation capabilities. A 4.1-fold increase in lipase production was recorded under the following optimal condition: incubation temperature (37.9 °C), cultivation time (111 h), and Tween 80 (3.27%, v/v). Furthermore, the partially purified lipase showed good stability, high compatibility, and significant wash performance with various commercial laundry detergents, making this novel lipase a promising potential candidate for detergent industries.
Purification and characterization of a new thermoalkaliphilic pectate lyase from Actinomadura keratinilytica Cpt20
Boudjema Saoudi, Amina Habbeche, Bilal Kerouaz, Soumaya Haberra, Zamen Ben Romdhane, Lazhari Tichati, Mokhtar Boudelaa, Hafedh Belghith, Ali Gargouri, Ali Ladjama
Process Biochemistry, 2015
Purification and biochemical characterization of a detergent-stable keratinase from a newly thermophilic actinomycete Actinomadura keratinilytica strain Cpt29 isolated from poultry compost
Amina Habbeche, Boudjema Saoudi, Bassem Jaouadi, Soumaya Haberra, Bilal Kerouaz, Mokhtar Boudelaa, Abdelmalek Badis, Ali Ladjama
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2014
Keratinase production from a thermophilic actinomycete strain Cpt29 newly isolated from poultry compost
Minerva Biotecnologica, 2013

Publications

Main author:
2021: Purification and biochemical characterization of two novel extracellular keratinases with feather-degradation and hide-dehairing potential

2019: Modeling studies by response surface methodology on culture parameters optimization for keratinase
production from Actinomadura keratinilytica Cpt20
Co-author:
2023: Large scale analysis of the genome of the rare alkaline-halophilic Stachybotrys microspora: screening of cellulase genes

2021: Artificial Neural Networks and Response Surface Methodology Approach for Optimization of an
Eco-friendly and Detergent-Stable Lipase Production from Actinomadura Keratinilytica Strain Cpt29

2021: Statistical optimization of a novel extracellular alkaline and thermostable amylase production from thermophilic Actinomadura keratinilytica sp. Cpt29 and its potential application in detergent industry

2015: Purification and characterization of a new thermoalkaliphilic pectatelyase from Actinomadura keratinilytica Cpt20

Purification and characterization of a new thermoalkaliphilic pectatelyase from Actinomadura keratinilytica Cpt20

2013: Optimization of Xylanase Production by a Newly Thermophilic Actinomycete Strain Cpt29 Isolated from Poultry Compost
Soumaya Haberra, Amina Habbeche, Boudjemaa Saoudi, Bilal Kerouaz, Mokhtar Boudelaa, Ali Ladjama.

2013: Purification and biochemical characterization of a detergent-stable keratinase from a newly thermophilic actinomycete Actinomadura keratinilytica strain Cpt29