Microorganism and proteolytic enzyme derived therefrom

A process for preparing the proteolytic enzyme, 24,199 RP, which comprises culturing Streptomyces caligosus DS 14,486, having the identifying characteristics of NRRL 8,195, in a nutrient medium containing sources of assimilable carbon and nitrogen and inorganic constituents under aerobic conditions and removing the enzyme formed from said culture.

A proteolytic enzyme produced by culturing Streptomyces caligosus DS 14,486, said enzyme comprising a protein substance in the form of a powder having a brown to black color, a molecular weight of about 27,000, and an isoelectric point of about 3.7, said enzyme being rather soluble in water, slightly soluble in concentrated aqueous solutions of neutral salts and in water-alcohol or water-acetone mixtures and virtually insoluble in anhydrous alcohols and ketones and having a maximum activity on casein at a pH of 7.5 and a temperature of 45.degree. C., a coagulant activity on milk and a fibrinolytic activity on a fibrin clot and having a specific activity on the hair-skin bond such that in use in a process for the enzymatic depilation of animal skin, said enzyme affords recovery of both intact hair and intact skin.

A process for the enzymatic depilation of animal skins comprising contacting the skins with a proteolytic enzyme produced by culturing Streptomyces caligosus DS 14,486, said enzyme comprising a protein substance in the form of a powder having a brown to black color, a molecular weight of about 27,000, and an isoelectric point of about 3.7, said enzyme being rather soluble in water, slightly soluble in concentrated aqueous solutions of neutral salts and in water-alcohol or water-acetone mixtures and virtually insoluble in anhydrous alcohols and ketones and having a maximum activity on casein at a pH of 7.5 and a temperature of 45.degree. C., a coagulant activity on milk and a fibrinolytic activity on a fibrin clot and having a specific activity on the hair-skin bond such that in use in a process for the enzymatic depilation of animal skin, said enzyme affords recovery of both intact hair and intact skin.