[Screening of collagenase and keratinase producers]

The study of the capacity of 310 strains of microorganisms from different taxonomic groups (40 bacilli, 43 yeast, 105 streptomycetes, 12 micromycetes) to hydrolyze collagen and keratin allowed to establish that the highest level of collagenase (KA) and keratinase (KerA) activity is inherent in representatives of streptomycetes. Two strains of Streptomyces sp.--1349 and 1382 with the highest KA and KerA indices--1.9 and 1.85 un./mg of protein, respectively, have been chosen. It has been established that collagenase activity in the medium without adding the inducers decreases 4.76 times, while that of keratinase--5.71 times, i.e. the above enzymes are inducible. The investigation of the spectrum of activities has demonstrated that the both strains possess low level of the general proteolytic and elastase activities and high level of collagenase and keratinase activities. Partial purification of the enzyme complex of Streptomyces sp. 1349 by the successive precipitation by ammonium sulphate with 30, 60 and 80% saturation and a single precipitation by ammonium sulphate with 80% saturation helped to increase the level of KA 5.6-5.9 times, and that of KerA--4.2-4.5 times.