Optimization Studies of Alkaline Protease from Aspergillus Flavusisolated Fromseashore Soil of Bay of Bengal
Abstract
Proteases constitute the most essential enzymes owing to their wide variety of functions and have immense applications in various industries viz., medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, leather, detergent, and food industries. An alkaline protease-producing strain Aspergillus flavus was isolated from soil samples of Kothakoduru seashore of Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, India and enzyme production was optimized under solid-state fermentation conditions. Different physical and chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, substrate concentration, and incubation time were optimized for better alkaline protease production. The maximum protease activity was found at a pH of 8.5 containing 10% wheat bran at 30ºC, after 72 hours of fermentation.ZnSO4 was an effective activator for protease activity, and EDTA had shown inhibition of enzyme activity. Among the different oil cakes used to produce the enzyme, the Sesame oil cake proved to be a suitable substrate after wheat bran for the production of protease by Aspergillus flavus.
