Engyodontium album isolated from marine sediment produced protease, which was active at pH 11. Process parameters influencing the production of alkaline protease by marine E. album was optimized. Particle size of < 425 mu m, 60% initial moisture content and incubation at 25 degrees C for 120 h were optimal for protease production under solid state fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran. The organism has two optimal pH (5 and 10) for maximal enzyme production. Sucrose as carbon source, ammonium hydrogen carbonate as additional inorganic nitrogen source and amino acid leucine enhanced enzyme production during SSF. The protease was purified and partially characterized. A 16-fold purified enzyme was obtained after ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. Molecular weight of the purified enzyme protein was recorded approximately 38 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 11 and 60 degrees C. Activity at high temperature and high alkaline pH suggests suitability of the enzyme for its application in detergent industry. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.