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.
