AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A FUNGAL ACID PROTEASE, USEFUL, FOR EXAMPLE, AS A BATING AGENT IN LEATHER MANUFACTURE AND AS A DIGESTIVE AID.

摘要

WE CLAIM: 1. A process for the production of an acid protease having optimum activity in the pH range of 3 to 4 and being active and stable at pH 2.0, the process comprising the steps, (a) growing the mold Penicillium jantbinellum as a stationary culture on a solid nutrient medium consisting of wheat bran or rice bran, water and a non-volatile acid such as phosphoric acid so as to give the medium a pH o. 1.5, (b) drying the whole solid culture at a temperature not exceeding 35C, (c) grinding it to yield a brown powder product A ), which is suitable as a bating agent in leather manufacture, (d) extracting the whole solid culture or Product A with a buffer at pH 3.4, (e) subjecting the extract to fractional precipitation with ammonium sulphate to obtain the acid protease (Product B) as a pre- cipitate in the range of 40-80% saturation of ammonium sulphate, the said product B being suitable as an aid to gastrict digestion after removal of the adhering ammonium sulphate,