Production of alkaline protease from Streptomyces gulbargensis and its application in removal of blood stains

The alkaline protease obtained from a newly isolated strain of Streptomyces gulbargensis was used for the washing of surgical instruments. The isolate showed beta-haemolysis. Therefore, the isolate was employed for the production of thermo stable alkaline protease enzyme using wheat bran as the substrate under solid state fermentation. The characterization studies of the enzyme showed that it is active at 45 degrees C and pH 9.0 with casein as the substrate. The wash performance analysis of blood stains on cotton fabrics and on surgical instruments showed an increase in the reflectance as the time increased with the enzyme treatment. The removal of blood stains completely was observed at 20 min incubation of cotton cloths and surgical instruments.