Production of extracellular protease by Streptomyces fradiae

A new strain of Streptomyces fradiae, isolated and identified in our laboratory, was found to be a potential producer of protease enzyme. An enzyme yield of 285 P.U./ml. was obtained prior to optimization in a synthetic medium containing potato starch, potassium nitrate and trace salts by shake flask method. The carbon and nitrogen compounds play prominent role in the protease production. The maximum enzyme yield of 930 P.U./ml. (about 3-fold increase) was obtained with all optimum parameters such as pH. 7.0, with 3% jowar starch, 0.5% tryptone, 28 degrees C incubation temperature, with 1:20 medium to flask volume ratio and with 48 hrs. inoculum.