
The bacteria constitute a group of highly diverse microorganisms that play important roles in the environment, having a versatility in the production from multiple molecules, among them the enzymes that have wide use in biotechnology. Hydrolytic enzymes are widely used in different processes in industries as pharmaceuticals, textiles, food and biofuels, such as proteases, pectinases, lipases, asparaginases, cellulases, among others. The microorganisms isolated from impacted environments appear as potential sources for new molecules of employment in the industry due to the metabolic versatility and stability in extreme environmental conditions. This study investigated the hydrolytic enzyme production capacity and biotechnological potential of 25 isolates belonging to seven bacterial genera (Bacillus, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Exiguobacterium, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Proteus) collected from polluted urban stream in Recife/Pernambuco, Brazil. The production of L-asparaginase, protease, lipase, cellulase, amylaseand xylanasewas verified in 72%, 44%, 32%, 24%, 20% and 12% of bacteria, respectively. Bacteria have demonstrated a high hydrolases production capacity and can be applied at crucial stages in the bioprocess of biofuels, pharmaceuticals and food, associated with the intrinsic characteristics that can be used in recombinant DNA technology.