HIGH-ACTIVITY ALKALINE PROTEASE FROM CONIDIOBOLUS-CORONATUS (NCL 86.8.20) - ENZYME-PRODUCTION AND COMPATIBILITY WITH COMMERCIAL DETERGENTS

Production of high alkaline protease activity (30 U ml-1) by Conidiobolus coronatus (NCL 86.8.20) in submerged culture and its application in commercial detergents is reported. The novel feature of the studies is the use of fungal protease in detergents. The rapidity of the enzyme production and the ease of preparation of microbe-free enzyme solution in case of C. coronatus are advantageous features. The economic feasibility of the enzyme for its application depends on the cost of its production. In order to obtain high and commercially viable yields of protease, it was essential to optimize fermentation medium for growth and production of protease from C. coronatus. Optimization of fermentation conditions revealed that the maximum protease production was obtained at 28-degrees-C and 200 rpm, for 48 h with a medium containing sucrose, (3%); ammonium nitrate, (0.38%); tryptone, (2%); potassium chloride, (0.2%); potassium dihydrogen phosphate, (0.1%); casein, (2%); zinc sulphate, (0.001%); and calcium chloride, (0.001%). The initial pH was 7.0-7.5, using 12% (v/v) preinduced inoculum grown in the same medium under similar conditions for 24 h. In order to assess the suitability of the enzyme for use in detergents, its stability over a range of alkaline pH and temperature and its compatibility with commercial detergents was determined. The enzyme was most stable between pH 6.0-8.5 and at temperatures up to 40-degrees-C. It was not inactivated in the presence of most of the detergents tested and appears to be potentially useful in washing powders.