Application of Fig Protease to Foods

무화과 단백질 분해효소의 식품에의 이용

In order to study the tenderizing effect of the proteolytic enzyme, ficin, from fig fruit (Ficus carica L), the enzyme was purified from fig latex by precipitation and chromatography. The ficin separated from Bongraesi showed single band on SDS-PAGE. However, the ficin from Masui showed tow bands. The specific activity of ficin purified from Bongraesi species was 2.8 unit/mg protein and that from Masui species was 6.5 unit / mg protein. The amounts of ficin purified from 50 mL of crude latex of Bongraesi and Masui were 1,760 mg and 657 mg, respectively. the water holding capacity of beef decreased to the large extent, when sugar Bongraesi latex and Masui latex were added. The hardness of beef showed decreasing tendency with the time, however, after 60 min, it decreased and thereafter increased a little after 120 min. the hardness of beef decreased sharply with addition of the latex of Bongraesi and Masui. The Masui has more tenderizing effect than the Bongraesi. When meat was mixed with tenderizing agent(ficin) and not heated, the change of color showed significant difference (p＜0.01). when meat was mixed with tenderizing agent(ficin) and heated, the toughness showed significant difference (p＜0.01) and the softness showed significant difference (p＜0.001).