A review on microbial proteases

The focus of the present review is to provide an updated overview on the major sources and important applications of the microbial Proteases produced by a wide range of microorganisms that could resist extreme environments. In recent years there has been a phenomenal increase in the use of microbial proteases as industrial catalysts. These enzymes offer advantages over the use of conventional chemical catalysts for exhibiting high catalytic activity , high degree of substrate specificity, economically viable and can be produced in huge amounts etc. The selection of this topic is mainly based on the different characteristics of proteases to address wide application in various industrial sectors. Protease enzymes constitute one of the most important groups of industrial enzymes being extensively used in the food, pharmaceutical, protein hydrolysis, detergent, cheese-making, brewing, photographic, baking, meat, leather industries , inclusions in animal and human food as digestive aids etc. It can be obtained commercially from plants, animals and microbial sources.