Abstract
Microorganisms have long captivated researchers for their potential to produce enzymes with diverse industrial applications. Efficient production of proteases from new strains is crucial as these enzymes play a vital role in breaking down protein bonds, enabling their use in industrial applications. Therefore, a novel Exiguobacterium indicum 1.2.3 was isolated (Istanbul, Turkiye) and characterized in this study. This strain produced alkaline serine protease, which works in lower temperatures (20-40 °C) with casein as a specific substrate. The protease was utterly stable for 3 h at 30 °C. The enzyme was also highly stable in the pH range of 8-11. The optimum activity was obtained at pH 10. The crude enzyme activity was enhanced by various metal ions and retained 147%, 125%, 124%, and 117% of its activity within 1 mM Ca2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Mg2+, respectively. The crude enzyme was inactive with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, indicating a serine residue on the active side. The enzyme exhibited a significant proteolytic effect in the presence of surfactants and oxidizing agents. The addition of Tween 80, Triton X-100, and sodium perborate improved enzymatic activity up to 135%, 109%, and 105%, respectively. According to the washing results, the crude enzyme effectively removed the blood on different types of standard pre-stained textiles at 30 °C. In conclusion, Exiguobacterium indicum 1.2.3 is a promising candidate for protease production, with its diverse applications spanning various industrial sectors, particularly detergents.