Pseudomonas aeruginosa A2 elastase: Purification, characterization and biotechnological applications

► Purification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa A2 protease by a three-step procedure. ► Biochemical characterization of the purified enzyme. ► The lasB gene, encoding the A2 elastase, was isolated and its DNA sequence was determined. ► The purified protease was tested for the deproteinization of shrimp shell waste in the process of chitin preparation. ► The application of the enzyme in depilating goat skin was also investigated.