Characteristics of proteinases of 3 strains ofStaphylococcus lactisisolated from Cheddar cheese

Summary Proteinase systems of 3 strains ofStaphylococcus lactisfrom Cheddar cheese have been studied. Proteinase of one organism was found in the culture supernatant, those of the other two were obtained in significant amounts only by disruption of the cells of the organisms. All 3 proteinases possessed maximum activity at alkaline pH (about 9·0–10·0). They were most active at relatively high temperatures (45–55 °C) and possessed temperature characteristics (μ) of 7000–8000 cals. Casein, ²-lactoglobulin and haemoglobin were hydrolysed by the proteinases; casein most readily and β-lactoglobulin more readily than haemoglobin. Because of their characteristics, such proteinases are considered potentially capable of contributing to the ripening of Cheddar cheese.