Evaluation of Spirogyra rhizobrachialis, Merismopedia elegans and Synedra spp as Potential Sources of Proteases

Aims: To isolate and characterise the proteases from Spirogyra rhizobrachialis, Merismopedia elegans and Synedra species in order to evaluate them as potential sources of protease.
Study Design: Three Algae species were evaluated as potential sources of protease.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria-Nigeria, between March 2013 and August 2013.
Methodology: A study on the potentials of Algae as source of proteases was conducted using three species of Algae, namely, Spirogyra rhizobrachialis, Merismopedia elegans and Synedra species which were identified and classified microscopically following fixation with Lugol solution. Proteases from these species were then characterised by determining their kinetic properties with respect to the rate of production of tyrosine at 660 nm using casein as substrate. The effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ andHg2+ on the protease activity were monitored.
Results: Protease from S. rhizobrachialis had the most catalytic efficiency of 0.152 and most specificity to casein with a Km value of 3.125g/L. The divalent cations; Ca2+, Mg2+ were found to activate the enzyme from all three Algae species. Mn2+ served also as an activator for the protease in all but Synedra spp. where it inhibited the protease activity. In all three Algae species, Hg2+ was found to inhibit the enzyme.
Conclusion: The result shows that S. rhizobrachialis is a better source of protease amongst the three strains, and hence could add to the pool of microbial sources of proteases for industrial applications and other biotechnological processes.