RESULTS

The observations that have been collected are displayed in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Table 1 indicates if
a protease is present in the milk-agar plate. In Well A, with the solution of pepsin solution and dilute
hydrochloric acid is positive in presence of clear zone around the well, whereas, in Well B, with a
solution of boiled pepsin solution and dilute hydrochloric acid, and Well C, with a solution of distilled
water and dilute hydrochloric acid are negative in presence of clear zone around the well. Therefore,
only Well A indicates the presence of protease.

Table 1. Investigation of the action of pepsin

Well SOLUTION Presence of clear zone

around the well
pepsin solution +
A dilute hydrochloric acid +

boiled pepsin solution +

B dilute hydrochloric acid -

distilled water +
C dilute hydrochloric acid -

Table 2 indicates whether there are any changes in the appearance of the egg white cubes.
Changes in the appearance of the egg white cubes indicates that the enzyme is working. In test tube A,
with a solution of pepsin solution and dilute hydrochloric acid, has a cloudy appearance and it indicates
that the egg white has broken down or have been digested. In test tube B, with a solution of pepsin
solution and distilled water, the egg white cube became smaller and cloudy, which means that half of
the egg white cube have been digested. Whereas, no any changes have been observed on the egg white
cube, in Test Tube C, with a solution of boiled pepsin solution and dilute hydrochloric acid, and Test tube
D, with distilled water and dilute hydrochloric acid, indicating that the enzyme has not worked.
Therefore, Test tube A has most digestion followed by Test tube B.

Table 2. Investigation of the action of protease on egg white

Test Tube SOLUTION APPEARANCE OF

EGG WHITE CUBE
pepsin solution +
A dilute hydrochloric acid Cloudy

pepsin solution +
B distilled water Smaller and cloudy

boiled pepsin solution +

C dilute hydrochloric acid No changes occurred

distilled water +
 D dilute hydrochloric acid No changes occurred

Table 3, indicates the effect of pH on enzymes activity, trypsin breaking down a protein at a
range of different pH’s. Completely clear appearance indicates that the gelatin has been digested while
black appearance indicates that the gelatin has not been digested. At 22 minutes, the pH 7 strip is
completely clear indicating that the test is complete. The pH 10 strip’s gone clear in the middle but the
ends still have some gelatin left. After 56 minutes, the pH 7 strip looks just like it did after about 22
minutes and the pH 10 strip is clear after 56 minutes. Therefore, the gelatin on pH 7 and 10 have been
digested. Whereas, the gelatin (protein) on the pH 1, 4 and 14 strips have not been digested. Therefore,
the gelatin on pH 7 and 10 have been digested.

pH SOLUTION APPEARANCE OF APPEARANCE OF

FILM STRIP AFTER FILM STRIP AFTER
22 MINUTES 56 MINUTES
1 20 cm3 buffer solution + Black Black
5 cm3 trypsin solution
4 20 cm3 buffer solution + Black Black
5 cm3 trypsin solution
7 20 cm3 buffer solution + Clear Clear
5 cm3 trypsin solution
10 20 cm3 buffer solution + Half Clear Clear
5 cm3 trypsin solution
14 20 cm3 buffer solution + Black Black
5 cm3 trypsin solution