Evaluation of Proteolytic Activity of Some Euphorbian Garden Plants

Abstract

-Most of the Euphorbian plants secrete fluid which contain a proteolytic enzyme for defensive role against insects, pests and hence eco physiological inheritance to sustain vegetation eventually in adverse environmental conditions. Evaluation has been carried out on twenty five Euphorbian garden plants for their proteolytic activities using casein as a substrate. Out of these, Euphorbia nerifolia, Euphorbia milli, Euphorbia tirucalli, Euphorbia lactea, Synadenium granti, Jatropha curcas, Euphorbia nivulia, Euphorbia antiquoram, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, Euphorbia viguieri, E. heterophylla and E. leucocephala are the good enzyme source. Moderate activity found in Jatropha integerrima, Jatropha multifida, Jatropha podagrica, Euphorbia pulcherrima, and Dalechampia scandens. While different tissues of Acalypha hispida, Acalypha wilkesiana, Breynia nivosa, Cicca acida, Codiaeum variegatum, Drypetes roxburghii are devoid of proteolytic activity. This paper describes in detail about name of plants, habitat and presence of proteolytic enzyme in them. Results show that the out of twenty five plants 50% plant tissue synthesize protease in appreciable amount, while 10% are not able to produce it. However 40% plants demonstrate only detectable amount of protease. A comparative account of proteolytic activity reveals some promising plants good source of enzyme. Some plants produce combination of cysteine and serine proteases. A single plant i.e. Euphorbia nerifolia latex contains cysteine, serine, metallo-protease and aspartic proteases. In turn, these proteases may be used in various industrial uses in general and cheese production in a particular.