Proteases -
Proteases attack peptide bonds of proteins. The largest application of microbial proteases is in the laundry, in modern detergent formulations. They are used for removal of spots of milk, eggs, blood.
These are heat stable. Proteases are largely produced by Bacillus licheniformis. Other alkaline proteases are being developed using recombinant DNA technology, to function over a wide range of pH and temperature. On such recombinant .strain is Bacillus sp. Gx 6644, active for milk casein. Another strain Bacillus sp. Gx 6638 produces several alkaline proteases. Through this technology a recombinant strain of a bacterium has also been developed.
It produces the enzyme kerazyme, used for dissolving hair and opening hair clogged drains. In baking industry also these enzymes have important application.
Microbial proteases reduce mixing time and improve the quality of loaf. Fungal proteases are mainly obtained from Aspergillus spp. and bacterial from Bacillus spp. These enzymes are used as meat-tenderizer and in leather industry for bating of hides
