Investigation of Proteases in Plant Seeds

Ten plant seeds were analyzed for protease activities. During the course of screening Cajanus cajan seeds were found more potent for acidic protease activity. The Cajanus cajan protease activity was optimum at pH 2.5 and 5.5 and at temperature 30°C. It is fairly stable up to 40°C. Cajanus cajan seeds protease activity is markedly increased in presence of Ca2+, cysteine and mercaptoethanol but strongly inhibited with EDTA, iodoacetic acid, o-phenanthroline, Hg2+ and PMSC.