Industrial alkaline protease from shipworm bacterium

US5312749A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US

Inventors

• Harold L. Griffin · Peoria, US
• Richard V. Grene · Peoria, US
• Michael A. Cotta · Edelstein, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 12, 1992
• Grant date: May 17, 1994
• Expiry date: May 12, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N9/52
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

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.