Published Paper Details:

Abstract: Proteolytic enzymes are not only important in digestion as they breakdown the protein foods to liberate free amino acids needed by the body but these are also important in regulating many vital physiological processes. In the last decade or two they have been found to play an important role in regulating cell cycle, inflammatory conditions, blood rheology control and immune regulation. A large body literature also describes the role of inhibitors of protease which are responsible for controlling the above physiological processes as well as their antiviral potential. Bacteria are also known to secrete proteolytic enzymes for their extracellular digestion. Interference with these processes may appear to be a way to control bacterial propagation by starving them of much required amino acid. In this study, we isolated protease producing bacteria from natural sources; their taxonomic position was deduced using polyphasic approach, and protease inhibitory activity of fruits, nuts and leaf extracts was studied using gelatine dot liquefaction on X-ray film. Protease inhibition was observed in Mangifera indica, Tridax procumbens, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia catappa and Ficus benghalensis extracts against Bacillus and E. coli species. These studies indicate that natural plant sources can be used for control of some bacterial growth.