Protease from Halobacterium salinarium

Abstract

A protease was isolated from Halobacterium salinarium JW5, a colourless strain, partially purified and characterised for some of its properties. The bacterium was grown in three different conditions, viz., normal NaCl (4.3 M), low NaCl (1.25 M) and 10% glycerol without any added NaCl. The enzyme obtained under first condition was active over a broad range of NaCl but had lower activity at optimum pH 7 and 80°C. The enzyme prepared under the second condition showed high protease activity at pH 7 and 60°C. However, the activity was dependent on the presence of NaCl. The enzyme obtained under the third condition, had comparatively low activity.