Antimicrobial activity of a trypsin inhibitor from the seeds of Abelmoschus moschatus .L

Protease inhibitors, a class of proteins which reversibly, stoichiometrically and competitively inhibit the catalytic activity of proteolytic enzymes, are widespread in plants, animals and microorganisms. They are abundant in the reproductive and storage organs and vegetative tissues of most plant families (Ryan, 1990). These proteins, apart from regulating proteolytic processes, are also involved in defense mechanisms against insects and other pathogenic microorganisms (Kim et al., 2006). A positive correlation existed between plants with higher levels of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors and their resistance towards pathogens. Several ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 5 (2014) pp. 184-199 http://www.ijcmas.com