Stabilization of thermolysin in aqueous solution

摘要

The present invention deals with the proteolytic enzyme thermolysin which tends to be unstable in aqueous solution. The invention provides methods and compositions to enhance the stability of dissolved thermolysin in aqueous solution. Thermolysin, crude thermolysin or a lyophilizate containing thermolysin and one or more salts, is contacted with an aqueous buffer with a low salt concentration and a first solution is formed. Subsequently, a further salt in solid form is added and dissociated, thereby forming a second solution comprising thermolysin in a stabilized form.

主权项

1. A liquid composition comprising water, thermolysin in a dissociated form, a first dissociated buffer salt capable of maintaining a pH in the range of pH 4.5 to pH 9, and a second dissociated salt, wherein the composition is a homogeneous solution for five hours or more, and the composition contains thermolysin at a concentration of from about 10 mg/ml to about 23 mg/ml.