Alkaline protease production by immobilized cells using B. licheniformis

In recent years there has been potential increase in the use of alkaline protease as industrial catalysts. Many major industrial and commercial applications, such as food and textile industries, and medical diagnoses, are highly dependent on the protease enzyme. In the cell immobilization technique, the free movement of microorganisms is restricted in the process, and a continuous system of fermentation can be used. In the present work, this technique has been used for alkaline protease production using different carriers, such as chitosan, corn cob and corn tassel. Enzyme activity before immobilization (72 h) was 78:3 U=ml. Corn cob, with 65% immobilization capacity and the highest enzyme activity, was selected as the best carrier. After immobilization on the corn cob enzyme, activity was obtained (119:67 U=ml).