Neutral protease activity in the crude extract of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seeds.
Dahot M. U., Sheikh A. A.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Biotechnology 2 : 49-55
Abstract : Seeds from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), Glycine max, Brassica campestris, Malia indica [Azadirachta indica], Mangifera indica, Dolichos lablab [Lablab purpureus] and Pongamia pinnata were analysed for protease [proteinase] activity. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seeds showed the most pronounced protease activity. The enzyme was most active at pH 7.0, and the optimum temperature for the enzyme activity was 30°C. Cotton seed protease was heat-stable and retained more than 15% of its activity at 80°C within 10 minutes. Protease activity was increased in the presence of cysteine and mercaptoethanol, but was reduced by the incorporation of CaCl2, MnCl2, ZnCl2 and CoCl2 into the reaction mixture. Protease isolated from cotton seeds markedly hydrolysed peptones compared to the other substrates.