Exploration of Alkaline Protease from Marine Bacillus cereus as a Biocatalyst for Enhanced Drug Delivery Application

Abstract

Proteases performance an important role in biomedical in pharmaceutical applications, Mainly in the design of progressive drug delivery systems and controlled release formulations. In the present study, marine-derived microorganisms were explored as a potential source of alkaline protease with relevance to drug delivery technologies. Environmental samples collected from waste-contaminated marine regions of Kodungaiyur were partitioned for proteolytic activity using skim milk agar. Among isolated, A1, B2, and C2 exhibited significant hydrolysis zones, with isolate A1 showing the highest activity (21mm). Molecular identification through 16S rRNA sequencing, along with biochemical and morphological characterization, confirmed isolate A1 as Bacillus cereus. Optimization of fermentation conditions consuming the One Mutable at a Time (OVAT) approach revealed maximum protease production at pH 7.0, 40 °C, and 76 hours of incubation, yielding an activity of 710.03U/mL. Partial purification via ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis enhanced the enzyme’s specific activity. The protease demonstrated notable stability under alkaline conditions, indicating its suitability for pharmaceutical applications. Importantly, the characterized alkaline protease exhibits promising potential in drug delivery systems, particularly in enzyme-assisted drug release, peptide-based therapeutics, and targeted delivery strategies. Its stability and activity profile suggest applicability in the development of biodegradable and controlled drug delivery platforms. Further studies focusing on nano formulation, immobilization, and in vitro drug release kinetics are recommended to fully explore its utility in advanced drug delivery technologies.