Ectoenzymatic Degradation of Particulate Proteins in Marine Sediment with Different Texture

Abstract

In Bolinao, Pangasinan, there is a continuing accumulation of particulate proteins on the coastal marine sediments because of the high density of fish cages along the coastal area. This may have an effect on the cycling of nutrients in the area. The study’s main concern is to determine if there is an association between the ectoenzymatic degradation of particulate proteins in marine sediment with different texture. Sediments with varying texture were collected from sites along the coast of Bolinao and characterized in terms of macroscopic appearance, texture, scleroprotease activity, redox potential, protein concentration, Electron Transport System activity, and proteolytic bacteria population. Sediments were oven dried and sieved with a mechanical shaker to determine their texture according to the Wentworth grade scale. Proteolytic activity of sediments was determined in an enzyme assay using dye-labeled scleroprotein as the enzyme substrate. This procedure measured the ectoenzymatic degradation of solid protein into large dissolved molecules. The data suggest that the grain size of marine sediments had a positive correlation with scleroprotease activity and redox potential, and a negative correlation with protein concentration.