Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola)
Research Article  ·  Published: 31 March 2025
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Agricultural Science and Food Processing
Volume 2, Issue 1, 2025: 56-67
Research Article Open Access

Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola)

1 Department of Food Technology, Central Campus of Technology, Tribhuvan University, Dharan 56700, Nepal
2 Central Department of Food Technology, Tribhuvan University, Dharan 56700, Nepal
* Corresponding Authors: Niraj Adhikari, [email protected]; Bunty Maskey, [email protected]
Volume 2, Issue 1

Article Information

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of three precipitation methods—ammonium sulfate (40%), acetone, and acetone with trichloroacetic acid (TCA)—on the yield and activity of protease extracted from Averrhoa carambola (starfruit) at different maturity stages (unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize hydrolysis conditions, focusing on temperature and pH. Proteases were incubated in buffers ranging from pH 3.5 to 8.5 and at temperatures between 40°C and 90°C, and their proteolytic activity was assessed. Storage stability was monitored over 7 days at <4°C. Ammonium sulfate (40%) yielded the highest proteolytic activity (PA), especially at the unripe stage (0.34 units). In contrast, acetone with TCA gave the highest specific activity (up to 2.38 U/mg at the ripe stage), indicating more efficient enzymes despite lower total ield. Acetone precipitation showed intermediate results. Optimal activity (0.862 units/mL) was achieved at 65°C and pH 6.5. A significant decline in activity occurred during storage at <4°C. These results highlight the need to balance total activity and enzyme efficiency when selecting extraction methods. Overall, ammonium sulfate is most effective for higher yield at the unripe stage, while acetone with TCA excels in specific activity for efficiency-driven applications.

Graphical Abstract

Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola)

Keywords

starfruit maturity stages precipitation methods proteolytic activity specific activity

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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APA Style
Adhikari, N., Paudel, R., & Maskey, B. (2025). Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola). Agricultural Science and Food Processing, 2(1), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.62762/ASFP.2025.993704
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Adhikari, Niraj
AU  - Paudel, Rama
AU  - Maskey, Bunty
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/03/31
TI  - Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola)
JO  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
T2  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
JF  - Agricultural Science and Food Processing
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 56
EP  - 67
DO  - 10.62762/ASFP.2025.993704
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/ASFP.2025.993704
KW  - starfruit
KW  - maturity stages
KW  - precipitation methods
KW  - proteolytic activity
KW  - specific activity
AB  - This study investigates the impact of three precipitation methods—ammonium sulfate (40%), acetone, and acetone with trichloroacetic acid (TCA)—on the yield and activity of protease extracted from Averrhoa carambola (starfruit) at different maturity stages (unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize hydrolysis conditions, focusing on temperature and pH. Proteases were incubated in buffers ranging from pH 3.5 to 8.5 and at temperatures between 40°C and 90°C, and their proteolytic activity was assessed. Storage stability was monitored over 7 days at
SN  - 3066-1579
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 
BibTeX Format
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@article{Adhikari2025Effects,
  author = {Niraj Adhikari and Rama Paudel and Bunty Maskey},
  title = {Effects of Precipitation Methods on Protease Yield and Proteolytic Activities of Protease Enzyme from Different Maturity Stages of Starfruit (Averrhoa Carambola)},
  journal = {Agricultural Science and Food Processing},
  year = {2025},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {56-67},
  doi = {10.62762/ASFP.2025.993704},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/ASFP.2025.993704},
  abstract = {This study investigates the impact of three precipitation methods—ammonium sulfate (40\%), acetone, and acetone with trichloroacetic acid (TCA)—on the yield and activity of protease extracted from Averrhoa carambola (starfruit) at different maturity stages (unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize hydrolysis conditions, focusing on temperature and pH. Proteases were incubated in buffers ranging from pH 3.5 to 8.5 and at temperatures between 40°C and 90°C, and their proteolytic activity was assessed. Storage stability was monitored over 7 days at},
  keywords = {starfruit, maturity stages, precipitation methods, proteolytic activity, specific activity},
  issn = {3066-1579},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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