토양으로부터 탈지대두박을 잘 분해하는 단백질 가수분해효소를 생산하는 미생물을 분리하여 형태적, 생화학적 특성과 세포벽 지방산조성을 조사한 결과, 분리된 세균은 Aeromonas hydrophila로 동정되었다. 분리된 세균은 glycerol을 탄소원으로, tryptone 및 $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$을 진소원으로, $CaCl_2$를 무기원으로 사용한 배지에서 효소를 가장 많이 생산하였으며, 생산된 효소의 반응최적 pH는 8.0이고, 반응최적온도는 $65^{circ}C$였다. 이 효소는 $55^{circ}C$ 이하의 온도에서, pH 7.0에서 13.0의 범위에서 비교적 안정한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 이 효소는 금속이온 $Cu^{2+},;Hg^{2+}.;Mn^{2+}$ 및 $Zn^{2+}$에 의해서 효소활성이 저해를 받고, 효소저해제 phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)와 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)에 의해서 효소활성이 강력히 저해되는 성질로부터 효소활성부위에 serine기와 금속이온을 갖고 있는 것으로 밝혀졌다.
A bacterial strain NO. AM-28, showing proteolytic activity against defatted soybean was isolated from domestic soil. The isolated strain was identified as Aeromonas hydrophila by both the biochemical tests using API kit and the analysis of cellular fatty acid profile with MIDI system. The protease production from A. hydrophila AM-28 was highly enhanced when it was cultivated in the medium containing glycerol as a carbon source, tryptone or $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ as a nitrogen source, and $CaCl_2$ as a mineral source. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme was 8.0 and $65^{circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable up to $55^{circ}C$ and at pH values ranging from 7.0 to 13.0. The enzyme activity was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and EDTA, indicating that serine residue and metal ions be involved in enzyme activity.
