| Abstract: | An esterase with excellent stereoselectivity for (+)-trans-ethyl chrysanthemate was purified to homogeneity from Arthrobacter globiformis SC-6-98-28. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed a mixture of ethyl chrysanthemate isomers stereoselectively to produce (+)-trans-acid with 100% stereoisomeric purity. The apparent molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 43,000 on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 94,000 on gel filtration chromatography. The optimum conditions for the ester hydrolysis were pH 10.0 at 45°C. The purified esterase hydrolyzed short-chain fatty acid esters, but did not have detectable activity on long-chain water-insoluble fatty acid esters. The enzyme activity was inbibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. |
