ENZYMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TRYPSIN FROM PYLORIC CECA OF SPOTTED MACKEREL (SCOMBER AUSTRALASICUS)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric ceca of spotted mackerel (Scomber australasicus) by gel filtration on Sephacryl S‐200 and Sephadex G‐50. The purification and yield were 20‐fold and 81%, respectively, as compared to those in the starting crude extract. Final enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous in sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and the molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 24,000 Da by SDS–PAGE. The trypsin was stable at pH 5–11 for 30 min at 30C, and its maximal activity against N^α‐p‐tosyl‐L‐arginine methyl ester was pH 8.0. Trypsin was heat‐stable up to about 50C for 15 min at pH 8.0. Optimum temperature of the trypsin enzyme was 60C. The enzyme was stabilized by calcium ion. The purified trypsin was strongly inhibited by serine protease inhibitors such as N‐p‐tosyl‐L‐lysine chloromethyl ketone and soybean trypsin inhibitor, suggesting that it is a trypsin‐like serine protease. N‐Terminal amino acid sequence of spotted mackerel trypsin was IVGGYECTAHSQPHQVSLNS.     

Purification and characterization of trypsin from the pyloric caeca of brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric caeca of brownstripe red snapper (Lutjanus vitta) by ammonium sulphate (40–60% saturation) precipitation, soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)-Sepharose 4B column and DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography. Purified trypsin showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and native-PAGE. A yield of 4.9% with the purification-fold of 20 was obtained. Trypsin had an apparent molecular weight of 23 kDa. SBTI and N-ρ-tosyl-l-lysine-chloromethylketone (TLCK) showed a strong inhibitory effect on the purified trypsin, while other protease inhibitors exhibited negligible inhibition. Trypsin had maximal activity at pH 8.5 and 60 °C for the hydrolysis of α-N-benzoyl-dl-arginine-ρ-nitroanilide (BAPNA). It was stable within the temperature range of 25–55 °C and pH range of 7.0–10.0. Purified trypsin had a Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) and catalytic constant (k_cat) of 0.507 mM and 4.71 s⁻¹, respectively, when BAPNA was used as the substrate. For the hydrolysis of α-N-ρ-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAME), K_m and k_cat were 0.328 mM and 112 s⁻¹, respectively.     

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENZYMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TRYPSINS FROM THE PYLORIC CECA OF YELLOW TAIL (SERIOLA QUINQUERADIATA) AND BROWN HAKELING (PHYSICULUS JAPONICUS)

Trypsins from the pyloric ceca of two fish species, yellow tail (Seriola quinqueradiata) and brown hakeling (Physiculus japonicus) were purified by a series of chromatographic separations. Purity increased 62‐ and 106‐fold with approximately 55 and 10% yield for yellow tail trypsin and brown hakeling trypsin, respectively. Final enzyme preparations were homogeneous in sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), and the molecular weights of both enzymes were estimated to be 24 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. Yellow tail and brown hakeling trypsins had maximal activity at pH 8.0 for hydrolysis of N_α‐p‐tosyl‐L‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride and was unstable at acidic pH. The optimum temperatures for yellow tail and brown hakeling trypsins were 60 and 50C, respectively. Yellow tail trypsin was stable up to 50C, whereas brown hakeling was stable up to 40C. Both trypsins were stabilized by calcium ions. The activities of both trypsins were strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and N_α‐p‐tosyl‐L‐lysine chloromethyl ketone hydrochloride, and were partially inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The N‐terminal amino acid sequences of yellow tail trypsin and brown hakeling trypsin were determined as IVGGYECTPYSQPHQVSLNS and IVGGYECPKHSQPHQVSLNS, respectively.     

Porcine plasma protein as proteinase inhibitor in bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus) muscle and surimi

Porcine plasma protein (PPP) showed inhibitory activity towards trypsin, papain, digestive enzymes and modori‐inducing proteinases from bigeye snapper. Among the fractions prepared, fraction IV‐1 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against all proteinases tested and the autolysis of fish muscle. At a level of 0.5% (w/w), both PPP and fraction IV‐1 effectively prevented the degradation of myosin heavy chain in fish muscle. The inhibitory activity of fraction IV‐1 was stable up to 60 °C. Incorporation of fraction IV‐1 significantly increased the breaking force, deformation and water‐holding capacity of surimi gel from bigeye snapper (P < 0.05). However, no increase in breaking force and deformation was found when fraction IV‐1 was added at a level above 0.3% (w/w) (P > 0.05). No significant change in whiteness of surimi gel was observed with the addition of fraction IV‐1 (P > 0.05). © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

The novel trypsin Y from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) – isolation,purification and characterisation

This report describes the isolation and partial characterization of the novel group III trypsin Y from the pyloric caeca of Atlantic cod. Other Atlantic cod trypsins have been used as food processing aids with good results. Trypsin Y was purified by p-aminobenzamidine affinity chromatography and characterized by SDS–PAGE and western blot analysis, as well as by activity measurements towards synthetic substrates. Identification of trypsin Y was done with polyclonal antibodies raised towards the recombinant form of the enzyme and by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Trypsin Y is the only group III trypsin isolated from its native source and characterized by biochemical methods. In accordance with the r-trypsin Y, the native enzyme shows dual substrate specificity, i.e. towards trypsin and chymotrypsin specific substrates. This, along with the high cold-adapted character of trypsin Y, may be valuable for its use as a processing aid for sensitive products such as seafood.     

Characteristics of trypsin from the pyloric ceca of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric ceca of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and Sephadex G-50. The final enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous in sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and the molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 24 kDa by SDS–PAGE. Trypsin activity was effectively inhibited by serine protease inhibitors, such as soybean trypsin inhibitor and TLCK. Trypsin had maximal activities at around pH 8.0 and 50 °C for the hydrolysis of N^α-p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. Trypsin was unstable above 30 °C and below pH 5.0, and was stabilized by calcium ions. Walleye pollock trypsin was more thermally unstable than trypsin from the Temperate Zone fish and Tropical Zone fish. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the trypsin, IVGGYECTKHSQAHQVSLNS, was found, and the sequential identity between the walleye pollock trypsin and Frigid Zone fish trypsin was higher (85–100%) than with Temperate Zone fish trypsin (75–90%), Tropical Zone fish trypsin (75–85%), or mammalian trypsin (60–65%).     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF SPLENIC EXTRACT FROM THREE TUNA SPECIES COMMONLY USED IN THAILAND

Proteolytic activities of splenic extract from three tuna species including skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) and tongol tuna (Thunnus tonggol) were studied. Optimal activity of splenic extract from all tuna species was at pH 9.0 and 55C when casein was used as a substrate. Among all species tested, yellowfin tuna showed the highest activity, followed by skipjack tuna and tongol tuna. The proteolytic activity was strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, TLCK and partially inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. E‐64, N‐ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, TPCK and pepstatin A showed no inhibition. The effect of NaCl and CaCl₂ on proteolytic activity was also investigated. Activities continuously decreased as NaCl concentration increased, and no activity remained in the presence of 30% NaCl. On the other hand, activities increased as CaCl₂ concentration increased. The highest activity was obtained in the presence of 1 mM CaCl₂. SDS‐substrate gel electrophoresis revealed that major proteinases in splenic extract from different tuna species were different in apparent molecular weights and sensitivity to TLCK. Although the major activity bands of all species were strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, varying sensitivity to TLCK probably implied the differences in binding characteristic of enzyme to substrate and/or inhibitors. The results suggest that major proteinases in spleen of all tuna species were trypsin‐like serine proteinases.     

Identification by GeLC‐MS/MS of Trypsin Inhibitor in Sarcoplasmic Proteins of Three Tropical Fish and Characterization of Their Inhibitory Properties

Sarcoplasmic proteins from 3 fish species were fractionated by 50% to 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation. Lyophilized fractionated sarcoplasmic proteins of threadfin bream (TB‐SP), bigeye snapper (BS‐SP), and yellow croaker (YC‐SP) showed 80% to 92% trypsin inhibitory activity. Trypsin inhibitory activity staining gel electrophoresis revealed bands at 32, 33, 37, 45, 48, and 50 kDa for the 3 species, and a band at 95 kDa was observed for TB‐SP and YC‐SP. Alpha‐1‐antitrypsin with molecular mass of 45 to 50 kDa was identified in YC‐SP by gel‐based liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GeLC‐MS/MS). Other major protein bands appeared on trypsin activity staining included phosphorylase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase with molecular mass of 95 and 35 to 40 kDa, respectively. But, these 3 proteins did not show true trypsin inhibitory activity. Trypsin inhibitory activity of fractionated sarcoplasmic proteins showed good stability, with >80% activity retained at 60 °C and up to 0.6 M NaCl. TB‐SP showed the highest inhibitory activity against autolysis of washed threadfin bream mince at 65 °C. Addition of 0.5% or 1% TB‐SP improved textural properties of threadfin bream surimi gels preincubated at 37 or 65 °C followed by heating at 90 °C. Therefore, TB‐SP could be a promising protein ingredient for enhancing surimi gel texture.     

Purification and Partial Characterization of Trypsin from the Viscera of Tropical Sierra (Scomberomorus Sierra) from the Gulf of California

Trypsin from the viscera of sierra (Scomberomorus sierra) was purified by affinity chromatography on Sepharose‐4B coupled to soybean trypsin inhibitor and characterized with respect to its purity, sensitivity to temperature, pH and inhibition. Trypsin was purified from sierra viscera with 11.9‐fold and 29.7% yield. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 25.4 kDa estimated by SDS‐PAGE and two possible trypsin isoforms were observed in activity gels. Trypsin activity was strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and porcine trypsin inhibitor, showing a partial inhibition by a serine protease inhibitor. The optimal activity of the enzyme was observed at pH 9 and 60C with n‐α‐benzoyl‐dl‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide as a substrate. The enzyme maintained more than 50% of its activity in temperatures up to 50C and within the pH range of 8–10 for a period of up to 2 h.     

PROPERTIES OF PEPSIN AND TRYPSIN ISOLATED FROM THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF PARONA SIGNATA "PALOMETA"

Two digestive proteases from Parona signata (Palometa) were isolated from gastric and pyloric caeca tissues and characterized. The stomach enzyme was inhibited by pepstatin and was classified as pepsin. Palometa pepsin purified from a Sephadex G-100 column appeared as two bands on an SDS-PAGE gel and exhibited optimum activity at pH 3.5, and 37C. Palometa pepsin was inhibited by pepstatin to a similar exient as porcine pepsin. An enzyme isolated from the pyloric caeca was shown to be trypsin based on its molecular weight, its ability to hydrolyze the synthetic substrates, N-α-benzoyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA), and tosyl-arginine methyl ester (TAME) and inhibition by the known trypsin inhibitors, SBTI, TLCK, PMSF and benzamidine. The purified trypsin from palometa pyloric caeca yielded a single band with a molecular mass of 24 kDa. Optima trypsin activity was obtained at pH 8.5 and the enzyme was stable over a pH range of 3 to 11. Palometa trypsin activity was stable for 30 min at 50C, but lost 50% of its activity after 30 min at 60C. The optimum temperature for activity was 65C. The biochemical properties of Palometa trypsin and pepsin were discussed in relation to the varying environment of Palometa in the Rio de la Plata estuary.     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A SERINE PROTEINASE FROM THE TUNA PYLORIC CAECA

A 15.0 kDa serine proteinase with collagenase activity from pyloric caeca of tuna, Thunnus thynnus, was purified in four steps; acetone precipitation, gel filtration chromatography on a Sephadex G‐100, ion‐exchange chromatography on a DEAE‐Sephadex α‐50 and gel filtration chromatography on a Sephadex G‐75 column. The purification and yield were 30.5‐fold and 0.023%, respectively, as compared with those in the starting crude extract. The optimum pH and temperature for the purified collagenolytic enzyme were around pH 7.5 and 55C, respectively. The purified proteinase was strongly inhibited by metal ions (Hg²⁺ and Zn²⁺) and serine proteinase inhibitors (PMSF, TLCK and soybean trypsin inhibitor) suggesting it is a serine protease. The K_m and V_max of the purified enzyme for collagen type I were approximately 3.82 mM and 851.5 U, respectively.     

Use of pyloric caeca extract from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus macracanthus) for the production of gelatin hydrolysate with antioxidative activity

Proteolytic activity of pyloric caeca extract (PCE) from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus macracanthus) was studied. The highest activity was observed at 55 °C and pH 8.0 when casein, N^α-Benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) and N^α-p-Tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (TAME) were used as the substrates. The activity was inhibited markedly by 1 mg/ml soybean trypsin inhibitor, whereas E-64, pepstatin A and EDTA exhibited a negligible effect on activity. The results suggested that a trypsin-like enzyme was most likely the major proteinase in PCE. As determined by activity staining, two proteolytic activity bands with apparent molecular weights of 55 and 24 kDa were found. Gelatin hydrolysate from bigeye snapper skin prepared using PCE exhibited the increases in 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidative power (FRAP) as degrees of hydrolysis (DHs) increased (P < 0.05). Hydrolysates derived from gelatin using Alcalase combined with PCE showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05). Gelatin hydrolysate prepared using Alcalase in combination with Neutrase or PCE at 500 and 1000 ppm, respectively, retarded the oxidation in both linoleic acid oxidation and lecithin liposome oxidation systems. The antioxidative peptide of gelatin hydrolysate had a molecular weight of 1.7 kDa.     

PARTIAL PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A THERMOSTABLE TRYPSIN FROM PYLORIC CAECA OF TAMBAQUI (COLOSSOMA MACROPOMUM)

A 38.5 kDa alkaline protease from pyloric caeca of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomumj, a tropical freshwater fish, was partially purified in three steps: thermal treatment (45Cfor 30 min), salting‐out (ammonium sulfate at 40–80% of saturation) and gel filtration (Sephadex G‐75), The purification and yield were 51.2‐fold and 40%, respectively. The effects of pH, temperature, inhibitors, and substrates on proteolytic activities of partially purified enzyme were investigated. The optimum pH was 9.5, while the optimum temperature was 60C. This alkaline proteolytic activity remained unaltered after 30 min incubation at 55C. Active site inhibition provided additional evidence that this activity is attributed to a trypsin‐like enzyme.     

HYDROLYSIS OF SALMON MUSCLE PROTEINS BY AN ENZYME MIXTURE EXTRACTED FROM ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO SALAR) PYLORIC CAECA

An extract of serine proteases from thepyloric caeca of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was recovered by (NH₄)₂SO₄ and stabilized in 20% gfycerol. Proteolytic activity was determined using Azocoll and hydrofytic efficiency evaluated on salmon muscle mince. Activity assays identified chymotrypsin as the most active serine protease component, followed by trypsin and elastase. The caeca extract more efficiently hydrolyzed a salmon muscle mince substrate at 40C compared to 21.5C, and was very efficient compared to four commercial protease preparations in terms of degrees of hydrolysis (DH) achieved after a 180 min reaction. Salmon protein hydrotysates made from the enzymatic hydrolysis with the pyloric caeca enzymes had different peptide profiles at the same DH when the reaction took place at 2I.5C compared to 40C, suggesting that relative activities of these serine proteases may be different at different reaction temperatures.     

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase from peach mesocarp (Prunus persica L. cv. Babygold)

The two enzymes involved in enzymatic browning reactions—polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD)—were extracted from peach fruit mesocarp. PPO was mainly located in the membrane fraction and was in its latent state. However, POD activity was found in the soluble fraction. The kinetic characterization of PPO and POD was carried out with a natural substrate (chlorogenic acid) and with a non‐physiological substrate. Under native isoelectric focusing (IEF), several PPO isoenzymes were present in the pH range 5.4–5.8. A partially denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) showed the presence of two active bands with apparent molecular masses of 49 and 50 kDa. A totally denaturing SDS‐PAGE indicated the presence of a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 60 kDa, as revealed by western blot. POD was also analyzed by IEF, showing the presence of two strongly basic isoenzymes, which were resolved by cationic native PAGE into two different bands. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ALKALINE PROTEASE FROM THE VISCERA OF BOLTI FISH (TILAPIA NILOTICA)

An alkaline protease was extracted from acetone powder of the viscera of bolti fish (Tilapia nilotica) with distilled water, precipitated from the extract by 40–60% (NH₄)₂SO₄and then dialyzed. Enzyme homogeneity studies by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) illustrated that the enzyme was homogenous. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–PAGE showed a molecular weight of 23.0 kDa. The optimal pH and optimal temperature were 8.0 and 45C, respectively, with casein as a substrate. A remarkable stability was observed under alkaline conditions (pH 6.0–10.0), where more than 90% of the enzyme activity was maintained. In the acidic region (pH 2.0–6.0), the enzyme retained more than 50% of its activity. Furthermore, the enzyme retained 85.4 and 41.8% of its activity after heating at 50 and 60C for 120 min, respectively, while the relative activity after heating at 70C for 120 min was 5.25%. The alkaline enzyme lost most of its activity when incubated at 80C for 30 min. A high percentage of total enzyme activity was inhibited when the enzyme was incubated with 50 mM of either soybean trypsin inhibitor or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The presence of NaCl and CaCl₂at 10 mM concentration increased the enzyme activity by 6.9 and 10.6%, respectively.     

Isolation and characterisation of trypsin from sardinelle (Sardinella aurita) viscera

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, sardinelle (Sardinella aurita) catches totalled about 13 300 t in 2002. During processing, solid wastes including heads and viscera are generated, representing about 30% of the original raw material. Viscera, one of the most important by‐products of the fishing industry, are recognised as a potential source of digestive enzymes, especially proteases with high activity over a wide range of pH and temperature conditions. This paper describes the purification procedure and some biochemical characterisation of trypsin from S. aurita viscera. RESULTS: Trypsin from the viscera of sardinelle (S. aurita) was purified by fractionation with ammonium sulphate, Sephadex G‐75 gel filtration, Sepharose mono Q anion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and a second Sephadex G‐75 gel filtration, resulting in a 5.42‐fold increase in specific activity and 6.1% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 24 kDa using size exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme showed esterase‐specific activity on N‐α‐benzoyl‐L ‐arginine ethyl ester (BAEE) that was four times greater than its amidase‐specific activity on N‐α‐benzoyl‐DL ‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide (BAPNA). The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were pH 8 and 55 °C respectively using BAEE as a substrate. The trypsin kinetic constants K_m and k_cat on BAPNA were 1.67 mmol L^?1 and 3.87 s^?1 respectively, while the catalytic efficiency k_cat/K_m was 2.31 s^?1 L mmol^?1. CONCLUSION: Trypsin was purified from sardinelle (S. aurita) viscera. Biochemical characterisation of S. aurita trypsin showed that this enzyme can be used as a possible biotechnological tool in the fish‐processing and food industries. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative study on proteolysis of two species of bigeye snapper,Priacanthus macracanthus and Priacanthus tayenus

Proteolytic activity in muscle from two species of bigeye snapper (Priacanthus macracanthus and Priacanthus tayenus) was studied. Autolysis of mince and washed mince at 50 and 60 °C was compared. Higher degradation of myosin heavy chain was observed in both mince and washed mince from P macracanthus than in those from P tayenus, especially when the incubation time was increased. Autolysis of washed mince from both species was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, suggesting that myofibril‐associated proteases were serine proteases. When sarcoplasmic proteolytic activity in P macracanthus muscle was studied, two activity peaks with an optimum temperature of 60 °C were observed at pH 6.5 and 8.5. The activities of both peaks were mostly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor, suggesting that the major protease was a serine protease. Major sarcoplasmic proteolytic activity in P macracanthus muscle was found at M_r 62 000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate substrate gel. For P tayenus sarcoplasmic proteolytic activity, two activity peaks with an optimum temperature of 60 °C were found at pH 5.0 and 8.5. The pH 5.0 peak activity was effectively inhibited by pepstatin A, while the pH 8.5 peak activity was inhibited by several inhibitors. The results indicated that various sarcoplasmic proteases were present in P tayenus muscle. The two species contained different sarcoplasmic proteases in terms of composition and activity level. P macracanthus muscle generally had higher sarcoplasmic proteolytic activities than P tayenus muscle. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of high-temperature setting on gelling characteristic of surimi from some tropical fish

The effect of setting at 40 °C on the textural properties and the changes in myofibrillar proteins in surimi produced from threadfin bream (Nemipterus bleekeri), bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus), barracuda (Sphyraena jello) and bigeye croaker (Pennahai macrophthalmus) was investigated. An increase in the time of setting generally resulted in higher breaking force and also the deformation of both suwari and kamaboko gels. Maximum increases in gel‐breaking force were obtained in 1 h for threadfin bream, 2 h for bigeye snapper, 1.5 h for barracuda and 3 h for bigeye croaker. Extended setting time caused decreases in breaking force and deformation in all surimi, except that produced from bigeye croaker. Gel strengthening was associated with an increase in non‐disulphide covalent bond formation. Degradation of proteins occurred with prolonged setting. Therefore, setting at 40 °C for an appropriate time is a promising means to improve the gelling property of surimi produced from tropical fish.     

Preparation of trypsin‐immobilised chitosan beads and their application to the purification of soybean trypsin inhibitor

BACKGROUND: Trypsin inhibitors are among the most important antinutritional factors in legumes. Recent research has shown that soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) exhibits multiple bioactivities, but very few studies on the purification of SBTI are available. Enzymes are commonly used as biospecific ligands in affinity purification of their substrates or inhibitors. The aim of the present study was to prepare trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4)‐immobilised chitosan beads and use them to purify trypsin inhibitor from soybean whey. RESULTS: Compared with free trypsin, the immobilised trypsin had higher thermal and pH stability. The adsorption ratio of SBTI from crude SBTI aqueous solution by trypsin‐immobilised chitosan beads was 33.3%. The purified SBTI obtained by affinity chromatography was characterised by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a single polypeptide band with an M_r of 8.3 kDa belonging to the Bowman–Birk family. CONCLUSION: Trypsin‐immobilised chitosan beads were effectively used in the affinity separation of trypsin inhibitor from soybean seeds, thus indicating that immobilised trypsin may have practical application in the soybean‐processing industry. The results of this study provide a background for further investigation of potential applications of soybean bioactive constituents in the areas of agriculture and food. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry