Properties of Thermostable Proteases with Fibrinolytic Activity from Local Earthworm Extracts (Lumbricus rubollus and Pheretima aslatica)

Abstract

Earthworm extract was widely used for traditional medicine in oriental countries for centuries. Recently, earthworm extract were studied further for its potential application for treatment of thrombosis diseases. Earthworm could secrete a group of proteases with fibri noiytic activity which known as lumbrokinase. In this research, we explored the resistance of enzymes toward high temperatures and characterized its properties. Two local earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus and Pheretima asiatica) were extracted in phosphate buffer (pH 7) to produce crude enzymes. Each crude was heated at range of high temperatures (50-800C) for about 5-20 min. Activity of protease and protein content were analysed. Fibrinolytic activity was detected by using zymogram analysis with fibrin copolymerization.