Industrial Applications of Alkaline Protease with Novel Properties from Bacillus Cereus Strain S8

Abstract

Proteases are the enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins and they are widely used industrial enzymes. The present paper reports the applications of alkaline protease from Bacillus cereus strain S8 in different industrial sectors. The protease was optimally active at pH 10. 0 and temperature 70⁰C. This enzyme has been used as an alternative for conventional chemical treatments for dehairing of goat skins, chitin recovery from shrimp waste, silk degumming agent and as well as in detergent formulations. Thus, this protease is ecofriendly by reducing the pollution load by replacing conventional chemical methods. The deproteinization activity of Bacillus cereus strain S8 protease was better than many proteases reported due to its thermostability and its activity at alkaline pH. The percentage of protein removal from natural shrimp waste was 87% after 3 h of incubation at 70°C. The protease is effective as silk degumming agent as it promotes sericin hydrolysis with 19% weight loss of treated silk threads. Silk degumming is a very essential step for the removal of sericin protein from silk fibers for giving it shine and softness. The protease is also effective and profitable in dehairing of goat skins by promoting fine leather without affecting its quality as evidenced by Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) micrographs. Due to its unique properties it also compatible with various detergent formulations in industrial sector. These results suggest that the alkaline protease from Bacillus cereus strain S8 is significant in the industry from the prospects of its ability to withstand harsh conditions in various industrial applications.