ANANYA SHUKLA, AKSHAT RANA, LOKENDRA KUMAR, BALVINDER SINGH AND DEBASHISH GHOSH
Abstract
Proteases are typical enzymes that are being investigated for their potential usage in many areas of application, such as detergent, brewing meat, photography, leather and dairy. A large number of pro- teases have been purified and characterized from bacteria and few from fungi. Bacteria were isolated from the soil sample collected from Sahastradhara, Doon Valley. Protease producing microorganisms were screened through activity zone method. Protease activity was checked spectrophotometrically using azocasein dye as a substrate. The producer was biochemically designated as Streptococcus sp. The maximum enzyme production was obtained at 72 h. Temperature optima was found to be 70°C and pH optima was 9.0. The enzyme production was not affected with the use of antifoam. The enzyme completely lost its activity with 4 mM EDTA. The compatibility of the enzyme was studied with commercial and local detergents in the presence of 10mM CaCl2 and 1M glycine. The addition of 10mM CaC12and 1M glycine, individually and in combination, was found to be very effective in improving the enzyme stability where it retained 50% activity even after 3 hours. This enzyme also had a improved the cleansing power. It removed stains completely when used with detergents in the presence of 10mM CaC12 and 1M glycine.