Abstract
A thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus strain AP-4 excreting a thermostable alkaline protease, was isolated from a local compost. Maximum activity of protease (250 U/ml) was after 36 h growth in broth at pH 9.0 and at 55°C. The protease was optimally active at pH 9.0 and 55°C and was stable in 5 mm CaCl2. The enzyme was completely inactivated by PMSF, EDTA and β-mercaptoethanol. It is therefore a metal ion-dependent, alkaline, serine protease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anunstrup, K., Outtrup, H., Anderson, O. & Dambmann, C. 1972 Protease from alkalophilic Bacillus species. In Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Fermentation Technology, Osaka, Japan, pp. 299–305.
Claus, D. & Berkeley, R.C.W. 1986 Genus Bacillus Cohn 1872. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Vol. 2, 9th edn, ed Sneath, P.H.A. pp. 1105–1141. Baltimore MD: Williams & Wilkins.
Endo, S., 1962 Studies on protease by thermophilic bacteria. Hekko Kogaku Zasshi 40, 346–353 (in Japanese).
Fujio, Y. & Kume, S., 1991 Characteristics of a highly thermostable neutral protease produced from Bacillus stearothermophilus. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 7, 12–16.
Kubo, M., Maruyama, K., Seto, A. & Imanaka, T. 1988 Highly thermostable neutral protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Journal of Fermentation Technology 66, 13–17.
North, J.M. 1982 Comparative biochemistry of proteinase of eukaryotic microorganisms. Microbiological Reviews 46, 308–340.
Priest, F.G. 1977 Extracellular enzyme synthesis in the genus Bacillus. Bacteriological Reviews, 41, 711–753.
Sigma, D.S. & Mooser, G. 1975 Chemical studies of enzyme active sites. Annual Review of Biochemistry 44, 889–931.
Takami, H., Akiba, T. & Horikoshi, K. 1989 Production of extremely thermostable alkaline protease from Bacillus sp. no. AH 101. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 30, 120–124.
Takii, Y., Kuriyama, N. & Suzuki, Y. 1990 Alkaline serine protease produced from citric acid by Bacillus alcalophilus sub-sp. halodurans KP 1239. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 34, 57–62.
Takii, Y., Taguchi, H., Schimoto, H. & Suzuki, Y. 1987 Bacillus stearothermophilus KP 1236 neutral protease with strong thermostability comparable to thermolysin. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 27, 186–191.
Additional information
R. Dhandapani and R. Vijayaragavan are with the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, India
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dhandapani, R., Vijayaragavan, R. Production of a thermophilic, extracellular alkaline protease by Bacillus stearothermophilus AP-4. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology 10, 33–35 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00357559
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00357559