Industrial alkaline protease from shipworm bacterium
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsHarold L. Griffin, Richard V. Grene, Michael A. Cotta
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Abstract
A protease has been isolated from a symbiotic bacterium found in the gland of Deshayes of the marine shipworm. The protease remains active over the pH range of about 4-12, exhibits salt tolerance up to 3M sodium chloride, retains a high level of activity above 50.degree. C. for at least 60 min, and is stimulated by oxidizing agents, particularly perborate. The properties of this protease suggest widespread utility in detergents and other low-temperature industrial applications.
Claims4
A substantially pure protease isolated from a culture of bacterium found in the gland of Deshayes of the marine shipworm in the family Teredinidae, said protease having a molecular mass of about 36,000 daltons as determined by SDS-PAGE, having a isoelectric point of about pH 8.6, and having the property that the proteolytic activity thereof is stimulated by perborate or peroxide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.