Abstract:
<p align="justify"> The larvae of the Beetle Dermestes maculatus De Geer can subsist on a diet consisting largely of protein. Studies have been undertaken to investigate the nature of the proteolytic enzymes. A water extract of the larvae yielded a crude preparation which hydrolyzes gelatin, bide powder, hemoglobin substrate, benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroamilide, and glutaryl-L-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide. Enzyme activity was found in a non-dialyzable, heat- and acid0labile portion of the extract yielded two fractions with high specific activity towards gelatin. These are precipitated between 40% to 60% saturation of ammonium sulfate and 60% to 80% saturation. The higher specific activity was observed in the 40%-60% fraction. These results suggest that the larvae of these dermestids contain proteolytic enzymes with actions similar to mammalian trypsin and chymoytipsin. The results also suggest that other proteolytic enzymes may be present as well. </p>