Conclusion
Through the utilization of a simple and reliable method, our
study was successful in isolating extracellular protease-producing
bacteria from an economic and easily available source: fresh and
fermented cabbage. These bacteria were able to hydrolyze from low
molecular weight proteins (hemoglobin, bovine serum albumin) to
high-molecular weight proteins (gelatin, gluten). From a commercial
point of view it is important to obtain strains that are resistant
to the adverse situations that occur during some industrial process
(Lale, Tu¨ kel, & Akçel, 2007). The microorganisms isolated from
fermented cabbage in this work are exposed to various harsh
conditions: the end of fermentation imposes a hostile environment
on the microorganisms which involves low pH, low concentration
of nutrients and, possibly, unfavorable osmotic environment.
Therefore it is possible that those microorganisms perform the
former condition. In addition, based on their protein hydrolysis
profiles, the characterized proteolytic bacteria could be useful in
some industries like textile or leather, in laundry detergents, in
medical and pharmaceutical process, in bioremediation, in agriculture
or in food processing. However further knowledge of the pH
and temperature resistance and other properties of the extracellular
proteases of those strains will be necessary in order to know
their real commercial aptitude.