Purification and characterization of protease enzymes of Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus species

The protease enzymes produced by one strain of each of Basidiobolus haptosporus, B. ranarum and Conidiobolus coronatus were purified by precipitation and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. The enzymes prepared were characterized in terms of their specific activities and temperature and pH optima as well as their molecular weights. All three fungi produced one protease of 23,000 Da molecular weight. Conidiobolus coronatus additionally secreted a second protease of 32,000 Da molecular weight.