Characterisation and inhibition effect of cetrimide on collagenase produced by Aspergillus flavus, isolated from mycotic ulcers

Abstract

Collagenase was found to be the most important enzyme, produced by mycotic keratitis fungi. Therefore, Aspergillus flavus collagenase enzyme has been purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, Sephadex G25 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Electrophoretic analysis for the purified enzyme indicated one subunit of molecular weight of 70-90 KDa when examining on SDS-PAGE. Cetrimide (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) has been tested against the purified collagenase enzyme and indicated reversible competitive inhibitor (kis = 0.15 mg/ml) with high promising activity. Cetrimide might be used to inhibit mycotic keratitis fungi.