Aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase from potato tubers

The purification of NADP specific aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase is reported. The properties of the enzyme suggest that it should be classified as E.C. 1.1.1.2. Kinetic constants for a number of substrates are reported. The relative rates of reaction of a variety of substituted benzaldehydes have been found to correlate with Hammett's sigma values yielding a biphasic relationship. The physiological significance of the enzyme is briefly discussed.