Coprecipitation of enzymes with water soluble starch--an alternative to freeze-drying.

Krill proteases were prepared in solid form from a partially purified extract by coprecipitation of the enzymes with water-soluble starch in an organic solvent at 22 degrees C. The precipitation did not affect the activity of the enzymes. The recovery of proteolytic activity was 100%. The thermostability of the krill proteases increased when incorporated in the starch precipitate. No reduction in enzymatic activity could be seen after storage at +50 degrees C for 99 days. After milling the coprecipitate could be dispensed. The enzyme preparation consisted of irregular needle-shaped particles. This simple precipitation technique offers an alternative to freeze-drying or spray-drying.