Fermentation of individual proteins for protease production by Serratia marcescens

Recovery of proteolytic and collagenolytic activities from viscera by-products of rayfish (Raja clavata)

The aim of this work was to study the recovery of proteolytic and collagenolytic activities from rayfish (Raja clavata) viscera wastes. Initially, different parts of the gastrointestinal tract by-products (stomach, duodenum section including pancreas, final intestine) were evaluated. The extracts from proximal intestine yielded the highest values of both enzymatic activities. Optimal conditions for protease activity quantification were established at pH = 6, T = 40 degrees C and incubation time < or =20 min. The mathematical equation used to model the joint effect of pH and temperature led to maximum activity at pH = 8.66 and 59.4 degrees C, respectively. Overcooled acetone was found to be best option for recovery of enzymatic activities in comparison with ethanol, PEG-4000, ammonium sulphate and ultrafiltration system. Finally, a simple and systematic protocol of partial purification and total recovery of proteases and collagenases was defined.

Processing of poultry feathers by alkaline keratin hydrolyzing enzyme from Serratia sp. HPC 1383

The present study describes the production and characterization of a feather hydrolyzing enzyme by Serratia sp. HPC 1383 isolated from tannery sludge, which was identified by the ability to form clear zones around colonies on milk agar plates. The proteolytic activity was expressed in terms of the micromoles of tyrosine released from substrate casein per ml per min (U/mL min). Induction of the inoculum with protein was essential to stimulate higher activity of the enzyme, with 0.03% feathermeal in the inoculum resulting in increased enzyme activity (45U/mL) that further increased to 90U/mL when 3d old inoculum was used. The highest enzyme activity, 130U/mL, was observed in the presence of 0.2% yeast extract. The optimum assay temperature and pH for the enzyme were found to be 60 degrees C and 10.0, respectively. The enzyme had a half-life of 10min at 60 degrees C, which improved slightly to 18min in presence of 1mM Ca(2+). Inhibition of the enzyme by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) indicated that the enzyme was a serine protease. The enzyme was also partially inhibited (39%) by the reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol and by divalent metal ions such as Zn(2+) (41% inhibition). However, Ca(2+) and Fe(2+) resulted in increases in enzyme activity of 15% and 26%, respectively. The kinetic constants of the keratinase were found to be 3.84 microM (K(m)) and 108.7 microM/mLmin (V(max)). These results suggest that this extracellular keratinase may be a useful alternative and eco-friendly route for handling the abundant amount of waste feathers or for applications in other industrial processes.

Mixed cultures ofSerratia marcescensandKluyveromyces fragilisfor simultaneous protease production and COD removal of whey

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of a Serratia marcescens-Kluyveromyces fragilis mixed culture in whey, with the objective of proteases production and organic waste reduction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Discontinuous aerobic fermentations in whey were carried out using individual pure cultures and mixed cultures of S. marcescens and K. fragilis. Cell growth, protease production, lactose and proteins consumption and COD/TOC reduction were monitored. Lactose and protein content of the fermenting medium was almost depleted in the mixed cultures, achieving a reduction in the organic content much higher than in both pure cultures. Interestingly, proteolytic activity in the mixed cultures was similar to that obtained for S. marcescens in pure culture. In addition, protease stability was increased in the mixed cultures. Kinetic models were developed fitting well with the experimental results.

CONCLUSIONS

Mixed cultures were found to maintain the achievements of each individual fermentation, yielding a high and stable production of proteases and a significant reduction of COD/TOC.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Mixed cultures tested in this work have shown a synergistic effect with possible industrial applications. These results lead to a gain in the chain value for enzyme production with an environmentally friendly operation.

Proteases production by two Vibrio species on residuals marine media

A comparative study was carried out on the growth and production of alkaline proteases by two Vibrio species using different marine peptones from fish viscera residues. The bacteria tested, Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio splendidus, are producers of high levels of proteolytic enzymes which act as factors of virulence in fish cultures, causing high mortality rates. The kinetic assays and subsequent comparison with the parameters obtained from the adjustment to various mathematical models, highlighted the potential interest of the media formulated, for their possible production on an industrial scale, particularly the production of proteases by V. anguillarum growing in rainbow trout and squid peptones.