PROTEASE: AN ENZYME WITH MULTIPLE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Proteases or peptidases constitute the largest group of enzymes in bioindustry with a long array of uses. They play an invincible role in industrial biotechnology, especially in detergent, food and pharmaceutical arena. Interest has been growing in microbial proteases which has eco-friendly as well as commercial importance. This focused review encompasses an overview on proteases, mainly of microbial sources in a handy module. Its classification with evolutionary insight, major sources of proteases (animal, plant and microbial including fungal, bacterial), and their general properties are discussed. In addition to this, an overview on the applications of proteases in detergent, tannery, food, metal recovery and waste treatment industries is also addressed briefly.