Preliminary Characterization of Intracellular Protease from Pediococcus acidilactici Isolated from Stingless Bee Honey

Abstract

Introduction: Lactic acid bacteria are known to produce proteases with potential applications in food and biotechnology industries. However, intracellular proteases from lactic acid bacteria isolated from stingless bee honey remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to characterize the intracellular protease produced by Pediococcus acidilactici isolated from stingless bee honey. Material and

Methods: The bacterial isolate used in this study was previously identified as Pediococcus acidilactici based on whole genome sequencing and GenBank database registration. Intracellular protease was obtained through cell disruption. Protease activity was determined using casein as a substrate, and the released tyrosine was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The biochemical characteristics of the protease were evaluated under different pH and temperature conditions.

Results: The results showed that the intracellular protease exhibited proteolytic activity over a range of pH and temperatures tested. The optimum protease activity was observed at pH 4–5 and a temperature of 37°C. These findings indicate that the intracellular protease from stingless bee honey-derived Pediococcus acidilactici has specific biochemical properties and remains active under moderately acidic and physiological temperature conditions.

Conclusion: This study provides fundamental information on the enzymatic characteristics of intracellular protease from this bacterium, establishing a baseline for further investigations into its functional properties

Keywords: Lactic acid bacteria,Pediococcus acidilactici, Protease, Proteolytic, Stingless Bee Honey