Studies on Koji

Part IV. Mold Protease Production by Replacement Culture and Inactive Form Protease in Cell Free Extract

Abstract

The effects of growth temperature on protease producing abilities of washed mycelial cells of Aspergillus soyae KS were investigated. The maximum ability of the cells grown at 35°C was almost the same as that of the cells grown at 20°C. Cells of 35°C culture rapidly lost their protease producing abilities after it reached its maximum, whilst cells of 20°C culture main-tained their abilities for a comparatively long time until a later cultural time.
Effects of temperature on protease production of washed cells were the same as those obtained with growing cells. It was recognized that the protease activity of cell free extracts of mycelia increased during incubation. Thus it was supposed that there would be a zymogen precursor in 11 4 the process of protease formation by this mold.