Biochemical Characterization of Protease Produced by Cordyceps nutans

The fruiting body of Cordyceps is derived from the pupa or larva of insects infected by the entomopathogenic fungi Cordyceps. The fruiting body has been used as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. The biochemical characteristics of protease isolated from Cordyceps nutans were investigated in this study. The culturing period for production of protease by C. nutans was 10days. The acidity was pH 7.0, and the temperature was $25^{\circ}C$. The carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of the protease were glucose and yeast extract, respectively. The ratio of C/N was 2% glucose and 0.6% yeast extract. 0.06% $CuSO_4$ was used as the inorganic salt. The investigation into the acidity of the protease produced by C. nutans revealed that the optimal pH and temperature were pH 7.0 and $30^{\circ}C$. The stability of the protease was shown as pH 6.0~9.0 and $30{\sim}50^{\circ}C$. The investigation into the influence of the metal ions on the enzyme activation of C. nutans revealed that it was inhibited in $ZnSO_4$ and activated in $FeSO_4$.