Proteolytic enzymes have been detected and partially purified from Merluccius hubbsiviscera. Crude proteinase extract exhibited its maximal activity at pH 7.94, 59.52ºC and33.93 minutes using azocaseín as a substrate. The molecular weight was estimated to be 25kDa by SDS-PAGE. The best ratio of crude extract to cold acetone for the partial purificationof protease was found in 1:1.25 with a 94.02% of recovery.Results relative to the substrate specific BAPNA, indicated that the recovered protease was atrypsin. The kinetic trypsin constant Km and kcat were 0.38 mM and 0.97/s respectively,while the catalytic efficiency was 2.54/mMs. The stability results obtained with surfactantssuggest that this enzyme can be incorporated as an ingredient in detergent formulations.

Fil: Massa, Agueda Elena. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina

Fil: Yeannes, Maria Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina

Fil: Lamas, Daniela Lorena. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina