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Proteases constitute an important component of global enzyme sales, and a relevant part of this market consists of bacterial proteases. Proteases constitute one of the important groups of industrial enzymes. The use of alkaline proteases in a variety of processes involving detergents, food, leather and silk has increased markedly. Marine bacteria producing metalloproteases are involved in cleavage of connective tissues paracellular perturbation, swarming and adhesion or detachment to mucus. In the present study, attempts were made to compare production of protease from the bacteria associated with coral mucus and characterize enzymatic activity. Among 4 protease producers one of the isolates obtained fromAcroporasp., in southeast coast of India, was selected for further experimental studies. This isolate was identified asHalomonas meridianaRA001 based on partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. Protease production by thisH. meridianain skim milk medium cultures reached a maximum at 24 hr. Starch and beef extract were the best substrates for enzyme production. Studies on enzymatic characterization revealed that crude protease showed maximal activity at pH 7 and 37°C, which indicates the enzyme to be normal or moderately alkaline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse forms of microorganisms present in the soil and near the roots of plants, which play a vital role in numerous physiological processes, have attracted the attention of scientists. The dynamic microbial associations may be saprophytic, pathogenic, or symbiotic. The most widespread symbiosis of plants is the mycorrhizal association between root-inhabiting fungi and the feeder roots of plants. The present study was conducted to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on mineral nutrition ofVigna unguiculataandAbelmoschus esculentus. The experiment comprised of uninoculated seedlings and seedlings inoculated withGlomus mosseae. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein, nitrate, nitrogen, and phosphorus content showed an increase in vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus-treated seedlings compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The total soluble sugars and soluble starch content in leaves of all selected plant species in the present study showed a decrease in mycorrhizal seedlings compared to non-mycorrhizal seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]