Production and characterization of a milk-clotting protease in the crude enzymatic extract from the newly isolated Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31: (Milk-clotting protease from the newly isolated Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31)

Microbial rennet-like milk-clotting enzymes are aspartic proteinases that catalyze milk coagulation, substituting calf rennet. Crude enzymatic extract produced by the thermophilic fungus, Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31, on solid state fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran, exhibited high milk-clotting activity and low proteolytic activity after 24 h of fermentation. Highest milk-clotting activity (MCA) was at pH 5.7, at 70 °C and in 0.04 M CaCl₂; it was stable in the pH range 3.5–4.5 for 24 h and up to 45 °C for 1 h. MCA was highly inhibited by pepstatin A. Hydrolytic activity profile of the crude enzymatic extract on whole bovine casein, analyzed by gel electrophoresis (Urea–PAGE) and RP-HPLC revealed low proteolytic action towards casein fractions and a peptide profile similar to the one obtained with commercial Rhizomucor miehei protease (Hannilase).     

Production and characterization of milk-clotting enzyme from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</Emphasis> JNU002 by submerged fermentation

Milk-clotting enzymes produced by microorganisms have been developed to replace calf rennet, yet the enzymatic level and the ratio of milk-clotting activity to proteolytic activity still need further improvement. This work described a strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JNU002 that screened from wheat bran that has a promising characterization. After optimization, B. amyloliquefaciens JNU002 showed a high milk-clotting activity (4969 SU/mL) and low proteolytic activity (4.02 U/mL) at 48 h with an inoculum size of 0.2% (v/v) at initial pH 6.0 in 15-L bioreactor. After purification, the purified enzyme gave a single protein band on SDS–PAGE, corresponding to 28 kDa. The purified enzyme showed a high ratio (2,575) of milk-clotting activity to proteolytic activity at 35 °C, and the ratio would be even higher (22,992) at 70 °C. The milk-clotting reaction and proteolytic reaction were prevented at 75 °C. This enzyme was stable at pH 4–6 and below 40 °C, and this was convenient for storage and transportation.     

产高效凝乳酶菌株获得方法的探讨

凝乳酶是奶酪生产中的关键性酶,高效的凝乳酶应具有较高的凝乳活力与较低的蛋白分解力。本文介绍了凝乳活力和蛋白分解力的测定方法,同时对产凝乳酶菌种的来源,产高效凝乳酶菌株获得的途径进行了综述。     

1株高产凝乳酶菌株的鉴定及N~+注入诱变选育

为获得高产凝乳酶的菌株,以市售干酪为原料,从中分离得到1株具有高凝乳活力的菌株XC-1。通过生理生化实验、16S rDNA同源性序列分析,鉴定该菌株为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。采用N+注入法对筛选出的菌株进行诱变,确定最佳诱变条件为能量20 keV、剂量2.08×1015ions/cm2,获得1株特性优良的诱变菌株XCYB-6,其凝乳活力达到2 181.82 SU/mL,比出发菌株提高65.63%,蛋白水解活力为2.53 U/mL,凝乳活力与蛋白水解活力的比值高达862.38。传代(6代)实验表明,诱变菌株具有良好的遗传稳定性。     

Characterisation of a milk-clotting extract from Balanites aegyptiaca fruit pulp

Milk-clotting proteases were extracted and characterised from Balanites aegyptiaca fruit pulp traditionally used in sub-Saharan countries to thicken gruel. The aim was to improve the extraction conditions and milk-clotting in the context of future cheese making. B. aegyptiaca fruits were disinfected, husked and soaked in different buffers and saline solutions. The extracts obtained were diafiltered, concentrated and decoloured with active charcoal. The effects of extract concentration, milk pH and temperature on clotting-time were studied. The use of specific inhibitors showed that the B. aegyptiaca extract contains two types of proteases: an aspartic protease and a serine protease, with an optimum activity at pH 5.0 and pH 8.0, respectively, and an optimal temperature at 50 °C. The proteolytic activity is more thermostable than bovine chymosin at pH 5.0. Partial purification by anion exchange chromatography and sodium docecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis allowed separation of the two milk-clotting proteases.     

江米酒凝乳酶的纯化及凝乳机制初探

江米酒凝乳酶是扣碗酪生产中起关键作用的凝乳因子。文中采用纤维素离子交换柱从江米酒中得到分子质量为36·4ku的单一蛋白酶,其凝乳活力与蛋白酶水解活力的比值从纯化前的3·1提高到16·0。对纯化酶的基本特性研究表明,该酶在30~55℃,pH值3·0~7·0保持比较稳定的酶活性,而与胃蛋白酶、米黑毛霉凝乳酶及牛凝乳酶凝乳过程中的组织状态变化比较,初步认为江米酒凝乳酶的动力学或凝乳机制可能与牛凝乳酶等其他天冬氨酸蛋白酶不完全相同。     

酒曲中产凝乳酶微生物菌株的分离筛选及鉴定

针对酒曲中的微生物进行分离纯化,得到11株细菌和2株真菌,并采用酪蛋白平板法和Arima时间法筛选出了1株产凝乳酶的细菌菌株编号为LB-51。通过形态学观察、生理生化实验和16S rDNA序列分析鉴定该菌株为解淀粉芽孢杆菌,将该产凝乳酶菌株命名为解淀粉芽孢杆菌GSBa-1。该菌株在液体LB培养基中发酵72 h产凝乳酶的凝乳活力为(431.53±15.89)SU/mL,蛋白水解活力为(5.05±0.59)U/mL,所产凝乳酶凝乳活力高而蛋白水解活力低,凝乳酶粗酶单位酶活力为1.54×10~5SU/g。解淀粉芽孢杆菌GSBa-1是分离筛选自酒曲中的一株高产凝乳酶细菌,因此其来源安全,可作为工业化候选菌株进一步研究开发。     

Influence of rennet milk-clotting activity on the proteolytic and sensory characteristics of an ovine cheese

Roncal cheese (regulated by an Apellation of Origin) is a traditional hard cheese manufactured from raw ewe's milk in the region of Navarre in Spain. Roncal cheeses, manufactured using two lamb rennets with different milk-clotting activity levels, were evaluated to compare their chemical, proteolytic, and sensory characteristics. A preliminary study of samples of lamb rennets indicated that a large proportion of such rennets did not fulfil current microbiological requirements and likewise revealed considerable variation in the milk-clotting activity of the samples examined. Trends in the overall physicochemical parameter values (pH, dry matter, fat, and protein) were similar in both cheese batches. Proteolysis of the nitrogen fractions was observed to take place at a faster rate in the cheeses made using the rennet with the higher milk-clotting activity (soluble nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, and amino acid nitrogen values around 13–20% higher than in the cheeses made using the rennet with the lower milk-clotting activity after 180 days of ripening). Urea-PAGE electrophoretic analysis of the caseins from the cheeses manufactured using both types of rennet showed that the β-caseins were less susceptible to proteolysis than the α_s-caseins. The effect of the different milk-clotting activity levels was most pronounced on the α_s-caseins, in which the rennet with the higher milk-clotting activity gave higher breakdown. Nevertheless, the differences in the proteolysis rates did not yield any appreciable sensory differences.     

Religiosin B, a milk-clotting serine protease from Ficus religiosa

A novel milk-clotting serine protease, named religiosin B, is purified from Ficus religiosa. The molecular mass of the protein is 63,000 with pI value of pH 7.6. The proteolytic activity of the enzyme is strongly inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and chymostatin. Religiosin B acts optimally at pH 8.0-8.5 and temperature 55 °C. The molar absorption coefficient of the enzyme is 149,725 M⁻¹cm⁻¹ with 23 tryptophan, 15 tyrosine and 7cysteine residues per molecule of the enzyme. The enzyme shows broad substrate specificity with natural as well as synthetic substrates. Religiosin B is highly stable against denaturants and metal ions as well as over a wide range of pH and temperature. The de novo sequencing confirms the novelty of the enzyme. In addition to its high milk-clotting ability, it could be used in the cheese industry, as well as other food and biotechnological industries.     

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURE-RELATED DATA TO EXPLAIN MILK CLOTTING ACTIVITY OF PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES

Multivariate analysis was used for investigating the relationships between milk-clotting activity and physical/chemical properties, such as CD spectra, hydrophobicity and zeta potential, of ten proteolytic enzymes measured at six different pH values. Cluster analysis of CD data and zeta potential values classified the enzymes into five groups, i.e., three active enzyme groups and two inactive enzyme groups with respect to milk clotting activity. Classification of the enzymes into three groups, i.e., enzymes with high, medium and low milk-clotting activity, was achieved by discriminant analysis after adding the ratio of secondary structure parameters to the predictor variables. Results indicated that β-sheet, β-turn and random structure features were important for milk-clotting activity.     

Influence of residual milk-clotting enzyme on alpha(s1) casein hydrolysis during ripening of Reggianito Argentino cheese

Milk-clotting enzyme is considered largely denatured after the cooking step in hard cheeses. Nevertheless, typical hydrolysis products derived from rennet action on alpha(s1)-casein have been detected during the ripening of hard cheeses. The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of residual milk-clotting enzyme on alpha(s1)-casein hydrolysis in Reggianito cheeses. For that purpose, we studied the influence of cooking temperature (45, 52, and 60 degrees C) on milk-clotting enzyme residual activity and alpha(s1)-casein hydrolysis during ripening. Milk-clotting enzyme residual activity in cheeses was assessed using a chromatographic method, and the hydrolysis of alpha(s1)-casein was determined by electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. Milk-clotting enzyme activity was very low or undetectable in 60 degrees C- and 52 degrees C-cooked cheeses at the beginning of the ripening, but it increased afterwards, particularly in 52 degrees C-cooked cheeses. Cheese curds that were cooked at 45 degrees C had higher initial milk clotting activity, but also in this case, there was a later increase. Hydrolysis of alpha(s1)-casein was detected early in cheeses made at 45 degrees C, and later in those made at higher temperatures. The peptide alpha(s1)-I was not detected in 60 degrees C-cooked cheeses. The results suggest that residual milk-clotting enzyme can contribute to proteolysis during ripening of hard cheeses, because it probably renatures partially after the cooking step. Consequently, the production of peptides derived from alpha(s1)-casein in hard cheeses may be at least, partially due to this proteolytic agent.     

Screening of a Bacillus subtilis strain producing both nattokinase and milk-clotting enzyme and its application in fermented milk with thrombolytic activity

Bacillus subtilis is a generally recognized as safe probiotic, which is used as a starter for natto fermentation. Natto is a functional food with antithrombus function due to nattokinase. Compared with natto, fermented milk is a more popular fermented food, which is commonly fermented by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus. However, there is no report on B. subtilis–fermented milk. In this study, to produce a functional fermented milk with antithrombus function, a B. subtilis strain (B. subtilis JNFE0126) that produced both nattokinase and milk-clotting enzyme was isolated from traditionally fermented natto and used as the starter for the functional fermented milk. In liquid fermentation culture, the peak values of thrombolytic activity and milk-clotting activity were 3,511 U/mL at 96 h and 874.5 Soxhlet unit/mL at 60 h, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 7.0 at 40°C for nattokinase and pH 6.5 and 55°C for milk-clotting enzyme, respectively. The thrombolytic activity in the fermented milk reached 215.1 U/mL after 8 h of fermentation. Sensory evaluation showed that the acceptance of the milk fermented by B. subtilis JNFE0126 was similar to the traditional milk fermented by L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. More importantly, oral intake of the fermented milk by the thrombosis-model mice prevented the development of thrombosis. Our results suggest that B. subtilis JNFE0126–fermented milk has potential as a novel, functional food in the prevention of thrombosis-related cardiovascular diseases.     

Fluorescein thiocarbamoyl-kappa-casein assay for the specific testing of milk-clotting proteases

Milk-clotting proteases, which are widely used in the cheese-making industry, are enzymes that use soluble caseins as their preferential substrates. Here, we propose a modification to a method previously described for the specific determination of milk-clotting proteases by using κ-casein labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate as substrate. Validation of the modified method was confirmed using natural bacterial, fungal, plant, and animal milk-clotting proteases, as well as a milk-clotting enzyme of recombinant origin. The new modified method described here allowed specific quantification of the activity of milk-clotting proteases in a very sensitive way and permitted determination of the appropriate kinetic parameters of all the enzymes tested, consistent with their origin and degree of purity.     

Insights into milk-clotting activity of latex peptidases from Calotropis procera and Cryptostegia grandiflora

Latex fractions from Calotropis procera, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Plumeria rubra, and Himatanthus drasticus were assayed in order to prospect for new plant peptidases with milk-clotting activities, for use as rennet alternatives. Only C. procera and C. grandiflora latex fractions exhibited proteolytic and milk-clotting activities, which were not affected by high concentrations of NaCl and CaCl₂. However, pre-incubation of both samples at 75 °C for 10 min eliminated completely their activities. Both proteolytic fractions were able to hydrolyze k-casein and to produce peptides of 16 kDa, a similar SDS-PAGE profile to commercial chymosin. RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses of the k-casein peptides showed that the peptidases from C. procera or C. grandiflora hydrolyzed k-casein similar to commercial chymosin. The cheeses made with both latex peptidases exhibited yields, dry masses, and soluble proteins similar to cheeses prepared with commercial chymosin. In conclusion, C. procera and C. grandiflora latex peptidases with the ability to coagulate milk can be used as alternatives to commercial animal chymosin in the cheese manufacturing process.     

Culture Filtrates from a Fermented Rice Product (Lao-Chao) and Their Effects on Milk Curd Firmness

To develop a new Oriental-style dairy product, the characteristics of culture filtrate from lao-chao with Rhizopus oryzae, used as a milk-clotting agent, and factors (heat-treatments, calcium, sucrose, and curdling temperature) affecting curd firmness were determined. The optimal conditions for proteolytic activity were around 40°C and pH 3. No activity was detected over the range of pH 8 to 11. After high-heat treatment (121°C, 15 min) on skim milk, no clotting was observed. Sucrose resulted in the retardation of milk-clotting. Ca⁺⁺ could be used to increase curd firmness which also increased from 29. 2–2.8g to 80. 3–4.7g when the curdling temperature was increased from 25°C to 45°C.     

A two-stage oxygen supply control strategy for enhancing milk-clotting enzyme production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

To enhance the yield and productivity of milk-clotting enzyme (MCE) by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a two-stage oxygen supply control strategy was proposed and successfully applied in the MCE fermentation. During the first 16?h, K_La was controlled at 72.2?h^?1 to obtain high cell growth rate (v) and MCE activity (MCA) productivity (r _MCA). Subsequently, K_La was controlled at 33.9?h^?1 to maintain high specific MCA productivity (q _MCA). Using this strategy, MCA peaked at 36?h with the MCA of 6,590.41?SU?ml^?1, which was 18?h earlier than other investigated processes. The concept and results described represent the basis of an industrial scale-up process to achieve high MCE yield, MCA productivity and MCA/proteolytic activity.     

Investigations on biochemical properties of milk-clotting enzymes

The properties of proteolytic enzymes produces from calf maws and from an Ascomycete were studied. Both milk-clotting proteases have their optimum activity at pH 5.2 and 45 degrees C. The microbiological rennin has a second maximum activity at pH 3.5 and 55 degrees C. Temperatures above 55 degrees C cause a rapid decrease of activity. The behaviour of enzyme activity is similar with varying substrate and enzyme concentrations. However, increasing amounts of enzyme in ratio to the substrate lead to reaction rates of the calf rennin differing clearly from that of the microbiological rennet complex.     

枯草芽孢杆菌产凝乳酶发酵条件的优化

为进一步提高枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)液态发酵产凝乳酶(milking-clotting enzyme,MCE)的能力,采用单因素试验和响应曲面法对枯草芽孢杆菌液态发酵的产酶条件进行研究和优化。结果表明：最优发酵工艺为：葡萄糖添加量16.2g/L,在500mL 三角瓶中装53.3mL 料液,接种量为体积分数0.130%,发酵时间120.43h,预测酶活力为1097.30SU/mL,经实验验证,在该条件下发酵产凝乳酶的酶活力为(1129.05 ± 74.55)SU/mL,与模型预测值相符。     

一株产凝乳酶解淀粉芽孢杆菌的筛选、鉴定及酶学性质

采用酪蛋白培养基,从甘南牦牛放牧区分离筛选产凝乳酶细菌。通过形态学、生理生化特征和16SrDNA序列同源分析对菌株进行鉴定,并对该菌株所产凝乳酶的特性进行了研究。从牧区采集的56个样品中共筛选得到6株产凝乳酶细菌,复筛得到一株凝乳活力高、蛋白水解力低的菌株GN4.1,经鉴定为解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens),在麸皮培养基中发酵48h,凝乳活力可达1011.56SU/mL,蛋白水解力为14.61U/mL。凝乳酶的最适作用温度为60℃,65℃加热10min后凝乳活力丧失;最适作用pH为5.5,在pH3.5～8.5内稳定性较好。预期该菌株所产凝乳酶有用于乳品加工业的潜力。     

Characterization of the non-coagulating enzyme fraction of different milk-clotting preparations

Proteolytic milk-clotting enzymes are extracted from various sources (animals, plants, fungi) and processed according to various methods that are specific to each manufacturer or cheese-maker. Chemical composition and polypeptide patterns of 24 milk-clotting preparations from animal and fungal sources: 10 commercial rennets, 9 artisanal calf rennets, 2 recombinant chymosin preparations and 3 microbial preparations, were compared in order to identify differences according to both their manufacturing process and their source. The preparation from Cryphonectria parasitica had the highest ammonia and small peptide content. Commercial rennets and preparations from Rhizomucor miehei had the highest NaCl and pH values while artisanal rennets had the lowest and recombinant chymosins were intermediate. In comparison with the other commercial preparations, commercial rennets had the highest variability in chemical composition and their polypeptide profiles showed numerous protein bands ranging from 15 kDa to 197 kDa, like artisanal rennets. Protein composition of commercial rennets revealed the presence of bovine serum albumin, either native or degraded, and degraded chymosin. The results indicated that the source of coagulating enzymes and the conditions applied for enzyme extraction led to specific chemical compositions, polypeptide patterns and protein composition which are described in this article.