Effect of Temperature on Activity of Alcalase and Savinase
Hypothesis
The optimum temperatures of Alcalase and Savinase will be different. Above and below their optimum temperatures activity will decrease.
Biological explanation
This investigation is designed to look at the effect of temperature on the activity of the proteases Alcalase and Savinase. By the end of it I hope to know the optimum temperature of both proteases.
The substrate I am going to use during the experiments is the protein gelatin, which is a translucent, colourless, brittle solid substance found in the collagen inside an animals’ connective tissues. In my experiments it is going to be in the form of a single, thin layer, used on the surface of photographic film. It is useful in photography because it acts as protein glue, sticking the silver halide crystals to the surface of the plastic film. I am using it in this form, as it is easy to see when the enzyme has digested the gelatin. This is because normally the surface of the gelatine-silver halide layer turns black when exposed to light. However, when the enzyme has removed the gelatin the black colouring will disappear and only the clear plastic will be visible. Therefore, it can be easily identified when the reaction between the enzyme and the gelatin is complete, so this form of gelatin is very appropriate.
Alcalase is a high temperature protease, meaning it works best at high temperatures, so its optimum temperature must be fairly high in relative terms, taking into account that most biological enzymes have an optimum temperature of 37.5°C. It is commonly found in soil. Due to it being a high temperature protease I would expect its activity to increase with the temperature up to its optimum temperature, which I think may be about 50°C. I predict its optimum temperature to be around this figure because the enzyme is used in washing powders and this is a reasonable temperature to washing clothes at.
Savinase is a low temperature protease, meaning it works best at low temperatures, so its
The optimum temperatures of Alcalase and Savinase will be different. Above and below their optimum temperatures activity will decrease.
Biological explanation
This investigation is designed to look at the effect of temperature on the activity of the proteases Alcalase and Savinase. By the end of it I hope to know the optimum temperature of both proteases.
The substrate I am going to use during the experiments is the protein gelatin, which is a translucent, colourless, brittle solid substance found in the collagen inside an animals’ connective tissues. In my experiments it is going to be in the form of a single, thin layer, used on the surface of photographic film. It is useful in photography because it acts as protein glue, sticking the silver halide crystals to the surface of the plastic film. I am using it in this form, as it is easy to see when the enzyme has digested the gelatin. This is because normally the surface of the gelatine-silver halide layer turns black when exposed to light. However, when the enzyme has removed the gelatin the black colouring will disappear and only the clear plastic will be visible. Therefore, it can be easily identified when the reaction between the enzyme and the gelatin is complete, so this form of gelatin is very appropriate.
Alcalase is a high temperature protease, meaning it works best at high temperatures, so its optimum temperature must be fairly high in relative terms, taking into account that most biological enzymes have an optimum temperature of 37.5°C. It is commonly found in soil. Due to it being a high temperature protease I would expect its activity to increase with the temperature up to its optimum temperature, which I think may be about 50°C. I predict its optimum temperature to be around this figure because the enzyme is used in washing powders and this is a reasonable temperature to washing clothes at.
Savinase is a low temperature protease, meaning it works best at low temperatures, so its