Proteases of microbial origin are produced for a broad range of applications, their use in laundry and dish wash detergents counting for a very significant share of the total industrial enzyme market.  For more information on enzymes for the Detergent Industry, please look at detergent site. Other examples of industrial uses of proteases include the Animal Feed Industry, the Food Functionality Industry, the Textile Industry, and the Leather Industry, se the individual sites.

Novozymes has invested heavily into enzyme research in the Protease field.  Numerous inventions have been made throughout this process, and Novozymes has obtained a significant patent portfolio.  The patents include in particular new enzymes isolated from natural sources and enzymes improved by protein engineering techniques. 

We are convinced that many of the enzymes have commercial potential also outside the traditional range for industrial use of proteases.  Perhaps, you have the vision and knowledge to pursue such new applications, based on proprietary Novozymes proteases.
 
A selected number of the patent titles claiming proteases of microbial origin are shown below.  If you are interested in one of these patents, or in another Novozymes protease patent family not shown here, we welcome you to contact us to discuss a possible license to your company.

• Thermostable protease from Thermococcus

• Thermostable protease from Thermobacteroides

• Thermostable protease from Staphylothermus
  

Title of Technology:  Thermostable protease from Thermococcus

Abstract:  This technology relates to novel thermostable proteases, a process for the preparation of these enzymes, and detergent compositions comprising these enzymes. 

More specifically, the proteases have a temperature optimum in the range of from 75øC to 100øC and a pH optimum in the range of from 6.0 - 10.  o Included in the technology are proteases from Thermococcus celer, T. stetteri and T. litoralis.

Detailed Description: Within the scope of the present technology novel enzymes that show extraordinary thermostability as well as thermoactivity are provided. Accordingly, in its first aspect, the present technology provides a protease that is characterized by having pH optimum in the range 6.0 to 10.0, and temperature optimum in the range 75 to 100øC. In another aspect the present technology provides a protease that is characterized by having pH optimum in the range 6.0 to 10.0, temperature optimum in the range 75 to 100øC, and immunochemical properties identical or partially identical to those of the protease derived from Thermococcus celer, DSM No. 2476; Thermococcus sp. AN1, DSM No. 2770; Thermococcus stetteri, DSM No. 5262; or Thermococcus litor-alis, DSM No. 5474.

In yet another aspect, the present technology provides a proc-ess for the preparation of these proteases, which process com-prises cultivation of a protease producing strain of Thermococ-cus in a suitable nutrient medium, containing carbon and nitro-gen sources and inorganic salts, followed by recovery of the desired enzyme.

In preferred embodiments of this process, a strain of Thermococcus celer; a strain of Thermococcus sp. AN1; a strain of Thermococcus stetteri; or a strain of Thermococcus litoralis is cultivated.

In further preferred embodiments of this process Thermococcus celer, DSM No. 2476; Thermococcus sp. AN1, DSM No. 2770; Thermococcus stetteri, DSM No. 5262; or Thermococcus litor-alis, DSM No. 5474; or mutants or variants thereof, is cultivated.

Due to the unique properties of the proteases according to the present technology, these enzymes are of great interest for in-dustrial applications, e.g. for use in the detergent industry.

Patent References

Patent Number:	Title of Patent:
WO9119792	Thermostable protease from Thermococcus
EP535110B1	Thermostable protease from Thermococcus
US5643777A	Thermostable protease from Thermococcus
FI103669B1,JP05507621,KR249995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title of Technology:  Thermostable protease from Thermobacteroides

Abstract: This te chnology relates to novel thermostable proteases, a process for the preparation of these enzymes, and detergent compositions comprising these enzymes. 

More specifically, the proteases have a temperature optimum in the range of from 75øC to 95øC and a pH optimum in the range of from 6.5 - 10. 

Included in the technology is a protease from Thermobacter-oides proteolyticus.

Detailed Description:  Within the scope of the present technology novel enzymes that show extraordinary thermostability as well as thermoactivity are provided. Accordingly, in its first aspect, the present tchnology provides a protease that is characterized by having pH optimum in the range of from pH 6.5 to 10.0, and temperature optimum in the range of from 75 to 95øC.

In another aspect, the present technology provides a protease that is characterized by having pH optimum in the range of from pH 6.5 to 10.0, temperature optimum in the range of from 75 to 95øC, and immunochemical properties identical or partially iden-tical to those of the protease derived from Thermobacteroides proteolyticus, DSM No. 5265.

In a third aspect, the present technology provides a process for the preparation of these thermostable proteases, which process comprises cultivation of a protease producing strain of Thermo-bacteroides in a suitable nutrient medium, containing carbon and nitrogen sources and inorganic salts, followed by recovery of the desired enzyme. In a preferred embodiment of this pro-cess, a strain of Thermobacteroides proteolyticus is cultivated. In a further preferred embodiment, Thermobacteroides proteoly-ticus, DSM No. 5265, or a mutant or a variant thereof, is cultiva-ted.

Due to the unique properties of the proteases according to the present technology, these enzymes are of great interest for in-dustrial applications, e.g. for use in the detergent industry.

Patent References

Patent Number:	Title of Patent:	Year of Issue:
WO9119790	Thermostable protease from Thermobacteroides
EP600870B1	Thermostable protease from Thermobacteroides	1998
US5346820A	Thermostable protease from Thermobacteroides	1994
FI103515B1,JP05507616; KR245615

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