Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and inhibitory effects of some chemicals on enzyme activity

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) was extracted and purified through (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, dialysis, and CM-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and was used for its characterization. The PPO showed activity to catechol, 4-methylcatechol, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), L-tyrosine, p-cresol, pyrogallol, catechin and trans-cinnamic acid. For each of these eight substrates, optimum conditions such as pH and temperature were determined and L-tyrosine was found to be one of the most suitable substrates. Optimum pH and temperature were found at pH 4.5 and 30 degrees C respectively and Km and Vmax values were 7.90 x 10(-4) M, and 11290 EU/mL for with L-tyrosine as substrate. The inhibitory effect of several inhibitors, L-cysteine chloride, sodium azide, sodium cyanide, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, L-ascorbic acid, glutathione, thiourea, sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate, beta-mercaptoethanol and sodium metabisulfite were tested. The most effective was found to be sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate which acted as a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 1.79 x 10(-9)M. In addition one isoenzyme of PPO was detected by native polacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis.     

Some kinetic properties of polyphenol oxidase from Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of Thymbra (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata) was isolated by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and dialysis. A diphenolase from Thymbra plant, active against 4-methylcatechol, catechol and pyrogallol was characterized in detail in terms of pH and temperature optima, stability, kinetic parameters and inhibition behaviour towards some general PPO inhibitors. 4-Methylcatechol was the most suitable substrate, due to the lowest K_m and the biggest V_max/K_m values, followed by catechol and pyrogallol. The Thymbra PPO had maximum activity at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 8.0 with 4-methylcatechol, catechol and pyrogallol substrates, respectively. The optimum temperature of activity for Thymbra PPO was 30, 40 and 50 °C for 4-methylcatechol, catechol and pyrogallol substrates, respectively. It was found that optimum temperature and pH were substrate-dependent studied. The enzyme activity decreased due to heat denaturation of the enzyme with increasing temperature and inactivation time. Inhibition of Thymbra PPO was investigated with inhibitors such as l-cysteine and glutathione using 4-methylcatechol, catechol and pyrogallol as substrates. It was found that l-cysteine was a more effective inhibitor than glutathione owing to lower K_i. The type of inhibition depended on the origin of the PPO studied and also on the substrate used. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ values of inhibitors sudied on PPO were determined by means of activity percentage (I) diagrams.     

Purification of lactoperoxidase from bovine milk and investigation of the kinetic properties.

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) was purified from bovine milk using Amberlite CG 50 H+ resin, CM Sephadex C-50 ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. During the purification steps, the activity of enzyme was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diamonium salt (ABTS) as a chromogenic substrate at pH 6. Optimum pH and optimum temperature values for LPO were determined for ABTS, p-phenylendiamine, catechol, epinephrine, and pyrogallol as substrates, and then Km and Vmax values for the same substrate were obtained by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphics. The purification degree of the enzyme was controlled by SDS-PAGE and Rz (A412/A280) values. Km values, at optimum pH and 20 degrees C, were 0.197 mM, 0.063 mM, 0.64 mM, 25.2 mM, and 63.95 mM for p-phenylendiamine, ABTS, epinephrine, pyrogallol, and catechol, respectively. Vmax values, at optimum pH and 20 degrees C, were 3.5x10(-5) EU/mL, 4.0x10(-5) EU/mL, 5.8x10(-4) EU/mL, 8.4x10(-4) EU/mL, and 1.01x10(-3) EU/mL for the same substrates, respectively. p-Phenylendiamine was first found as a new substrate for LPO.     

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and inhibitory effects of some chemicals on enzyme activity

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of nettle (Urtica dioica L.) was extracted and purified through (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, dialysis, and CM-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and was used for its characterization. The PPO showed activity to catechol, 4-methylcatechol, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), L-tyrosine, p-cresol, pyrogallol, catechin and trans-cinnamic acid. For each of these eight substrates, optimum conditions such as pH and temperature were determined and L-tyrosine was found to be one of the most suitable substrates. Optimum pH and temperature were found at pH 4.5 and 30°C respectively and K_m and V_max values were 7.90?×?10^?4?M, and 11290?EU/mL for with L-tyrosine as substrate. The inhibitory effect of several inhibitors, L-cysteine chloride, sodium azide, sodium cyanide, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, L-ascorbic acid, glutathione, thiourea, sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate, β-mercaptoethanol and sodium metabisulfite were tested. The most effective was found to be sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate which acted as a competitive inhibitor with a K_i value of 1.79?×?10^?9?M. In addition one isoenzyme of PPO was detected by native polacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis.     

Reduction of laccase type 1 copper by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and other catechol derivatives

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is not a preferred substrate of Rhus vernicifera laccase, as rate constants for the anaerobic reduction of the type 1 cupric atom by L-DOPA (6.3 X 10(1) M-1 s-1), D-DOPA (2.6 X 10(1) M-1 s-1), and L-DOPA methyl ester (2.6 X 10(1) M-1 s-1) are considerably smaller than k1 (catechol) (7 X 10(2) M-1 s-1) and rate constants characteristic of numerous other nonphysiological organic substrates (25 degrees C, pH 7.0, I = 0.5 M). The reactions of DOPA derivatives with laccase are unique, however, in that a two-term rate law pertains: kobsd = k0 + k1[phenol]; k0(L-DOPA) = 7 X 10(-2) s-1. The reactivities of other catechol derivatives (pyrogallol, gallic acid, and methyl gallate) with laccase type 1 copper were also examined.     

Differential in vitro inhibition of polyphenoloxidase from a wild edible mushroom Lactarius salmonicolor

The polyphenol oxidase (LsPPO) from a wild edible mushroom Lactarius salmonicolor was purified using a Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-amino benzoic acid affinity column. At the optimum pH and temperature, the K(M) and V(Max) values of LsPPO towards catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol were determined as 0.025 M & 0.748 EU/mL, 1.809 x 10(- 3) M & 0.723 EU/mL and 9.465 x 10(- 3) M & 0.722 EU/mL, respectively. Optimum pH and temperature values of LsPPO for the three substrates above ranged between the pH 4.5-11.0 and 5-50 degrees C. Enzyme activity decreased due to heat denaturation with increasing temperature. Effects of a variety of classical PPO inhibitors were investigated opon the activity of LsPPO using catechol as the substrate. IC(50) values for glutathione, p-aminobenzenesulfonamide, L-cysteine, L-tyrosine, oxalic acid, beta-mercaptoethanol and syringic acid were determined as 9.1 x 10(- 4), 2.3 x 10(- 4) M, 1.5 x 10(- 4) M, 3.8 x 10(- 7) M, 1.2 x 10(- 4) M, 4.9 x 10(- 4) M, and 4 x 10(- 4) M respectively. Thus L-tyrosine was by far the most effective inhibitor. Interestingly, sulfosalicylic acid behaved as an activator of LsPPO in this study.     

Spring cabbage peroxidases--potential tool in biocatalysis and bioelectrocatalysis

Two fractions of peroxidase activity, cationic Px-cat and anionic Px-ani, were isolated and partially purified (143.5- and 5.49-fold, respectively) from homogenate of spring cabbage heads. Optimum pH for both fractions is 6.0; however, Px-cat is almost equally active at neutral pH (7.0) while Px-ani reveals high activity in more acidic pHs (with 60% of maximum activity at pH 3.0). Optimal temperature for both fractions was 40 degrees C. Px-ani possessed much higher thermal stability at 40-50 degrees C (60% of remaining activity after 144h of incubation) than Px-cat. The peroxidases remained fully active during 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C. Kinetic studies revealed that Px-cat and Px-ani had lower apparent Km values for ABTS (0.0377 and 0.0625mM) and o-dianisidine (0.357 and 0.286mM) than for guaiacol (6.41 and 13.89mM). The best substrate for Px-cat was pyrogallol and for Px-ani-o-dianisidine. Px-cat immobilized on polyanionic PyBA-modified carbon electrode was found to produce linear repetitive signals upon consecutive additions of hydrogen peroxide during at least 1-week period and to work effectively under buffered and non-buffered conditions. These properties were comparable with those of commercially available horseradish peroxidase. Stability of the hybrid bioelectrocatalytic film and low costs of extraction and partial purification of Px-cat make it a highly promising enzyme for practical applications, including construction of bioelectrodes.     

A wounding-induced PPO from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings

Polyphenol oxidases (PPO) are induced in cowpea plants by wounding. The highest activity levels were detected 48h after this stimulus in both wounded and neighbor-to-wounded unifoliates of cowpea seedlings; the increase of activity was in the order of 13 to 15-fold, respectively, in comparison to control unifoliates. Multiple molecular forms of active PPO (Mrs 58, 73 and congruent with220kDa) were detected by partially denaturing SDS-PAGE. Wounding-induced cowpea PPO were extracted and purified through (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. The effects of substrate specificity, pH, thermal stability and sensitivity to various inhibitors - resorcinol, EDTA, sodium azide and tropolone - of partially purified soluble PPO were investigated. Purified wounding-induced cowpea PPO (wicPPO) showed the highest activities towards 4-methylcatechol (K(m)=9.86mM, V(max)=24.66 EU [DeltaAmin(-1)]) and catechol (K(m)=3.44mM, V(max)=6.64 EU [DeltaAmin(-1)]); no activity was observed towards l-tyrosine, under the assay conditions used. The optimum pH for wound-induced cowpea PPO was 6.0 with 4-methylcatechol as substrate. The enzyme was optimally activated by 10 mM SDS and was highly stable even after 5 min at 80 degrees C. The most effective inhibitor was tropolone, whereas addition of 10mM of resorcinol, EDTA and sodium azide were able to reduce PPO activities by 40%, 15% and 100%, respectively.     

Purification and partial biochemical characterization of polyphenol oxidase from mamey (Pouteria sapota)

While a long shelf life for fruit products is highly desired, enzymatic browning is the main cause of quality loss in fruits and is therefore a main problem for the food industry. In this study polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the main enzyme responsible for browning was isolated from mamey fruit (Pouteria sapota) and characterized biochemically. Two isoenzymes (PPO 1 and PPO 2) were obtained upon ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic and ion exchange chromatography; PPO 1 was purified up to 6.6-fold with 0.28% yield, while PPO 2 could not be characterized as enzyme activity was completely lost after 24 h of storage. PPO 1 molecular weight was estimated to be 16.1 and 18 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively, indicating that the native state of the PPO 1 is a monomer. The optimum pH for PPO 1 activity was 7. The PPO 1 was determined to be maximum thermally stable up to 35 °C. Kinetic constants for PPO 1 were K_m = 44 mM and K_m = 1.3 mM using catechol and pyrogallol as substrate, respectively. The best substrates for PPO 1 were pyrogallol, 4-methylcatechol and catechol, while ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite were the most effective inhibitors.     

Purification and characterization of an oxygen-sensitive, reversible 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase from Clostridium hydroxybenzoicum.

A 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.63) from Clostridium hydroxybenzoicum JW/Z-1T was purified and partially characterized. The estimated molecular mass of the enzyme was 270 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a single band of 57 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme consists of five identical subunits. The temperature and pH optima were 50 degrees C and pH 7.0, respectively. The Arrhenius energy for decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate was 32.5 kJ . mol(-1) for the temperature range from 22 to 50 degrees C. The Km and kcat for 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate were 0.6 mM and 5.4 x 10(3) min(-1), respectively, at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. The enzyme optimally catalyzed the reverse reaction, that is, the carboxylation of catechol to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, at pH 7.0. The enzyme did not decarboxylate 2-hydroxybenzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoate, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate, 3-F-4-hydroxybenzoate, or vanillate. The decarboxylase activity was inhibited by 25 and 20%, respectively, by 2,3,4- and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate. Thiamine PPi and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate did not stimulate and hydroxylamine and sodium borohydride did not inhibit the enzyme activity, indicating that the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase is not a thiamine PPi-, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-, or pyruvoyl-dependent enzyme.     

槐尺蠖多酚氧化酶的纯化及酶学特征

经40%饱和度硫酸铵分级沉淀,Sephadex G-100凝胶过滤等步骤,将槐尺蠖Semiothisa cinerearia Bremer et Grey 多酚氧化酶纯化,纯化倍数为6.96倍。该酶对焦性没食子酸,邻苯二酚和L多巴的Km值分别为0.23 mmol/L, 0.48 mmol/L和0.49 mmol/L。多酚氧化酶在pH 7.0,37℃时活性最高,并在40℃以上条件下,随着保温时间的延长酶活力下降。用槲皮苷和硫脲作抑制剂对该酶活性的抑制结果表明,这两种抑制剂分别属于竞争性和非竞争性抑制剂。     

菜青虫不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶性质比较

初步比较了菜青虫Pieris rapae (L.)不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase)的性质。结果表明,不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶活力有很大的不同,其中以5龄幼虫酶活力最高,蛹酶活力最低。酶活力大小依次为： 5龄幼虫> 预蛹>4龄幼虫>3龄幼虫>蛹。以邻苯二酚为底物,研究了pH对多酚氧化酶活力的影响,结果表明酶催化底物氧化均有一个最适pH区域,不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶最适pH基本相同,其值为7.0±0.2 。不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶催化底物氧化的最适温度有很大的差异。3龄、4龄、5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹的多酚氧化酶活力的最适温度分别为36.0±0.5℃、38.5±1.0℃、43.0±1.0℃、45.5±1.0℃和50.0±1.5℃,说明蛹期的多酚氧化酶活力的最适温度较高。进一步比较催化底物氧化反应的活化能,测得3龄、4龄、5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹的多酚氧化酶活化能分别为：4 3.10±0.28、36.50±0.27、25.79±0.32、30.10±0.21和58.88±0.39 kJ/mol 。通过测定不同虫态及虫龄的多酚氧化酶催化邻苯二酚和L-多巴氧化反应的动力学特征参数,比较了不同虫期的酶对底物的亲和力。     

Synthesis and properties of new photoactivable derivatives of tetrodotoxin

Eight lots of reagent-grade phenol from four companies were tested for capacity to interact with Cu2+ to produce an inactivator or inactivators of the transfective RNA obtained from poliovirions; such capacity to interact with Cu2+ is referred to as cofactor activity. Six of the lots showed cofactor activity; two did not. A review of the data on the phenol lots and of the properties of the impurity or impurities conferring cofactor activity suggested that the active impurity(ies) might be a dihydric or trihydric phenol. Commercial catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, orcinol and pyrogallol were tested and found active. The activity of hydroquinone was outstandingly high. Upon serial recrystallization, the activity of catechol, hydroquinone, orcinol and pyrogallol remained constant, but the activity of resorcinol decreased markedly, in stepwise fashion, showing the most of the activity of the commercial resorcinol was due to impurity(ies). Each of catechol, hydroquinone, orcinol, pyrogallol, and the commercial resorcinol was shown to react with Cu2+ to produce inactivator(s). The effective target for inactivator(s) was the RNA and not the transfection process. The kinetics of inactivator(s) production varied for the different phenols, and the inactivator activity of the incubated mixture of pyrogallol and Cu2+ was notably labile.     

Characterization of tyrosinase and accompanying laccase from Amorphophallus campanulatus

Tyrosinase and laccase activities were detected in the corm of Amorphophallus campanulatus after extraction with ethanol followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation (20-60%) and dialysis against 10 mM Na2HPO4 buffer at pH 7.0. Tyrosinase was found to be the predominant enzyme exhibiting mono- and di-phenolase activities, specificity for L-DOPA as substrate, optimum pH being 6.0, optimum temperature at 40 degrees C and Km at 1.05 mM. Laccase showed substrate specificity for p-phenylenediamine (p-PD), Km at 2.7 mM, optimum pH being 5.0 and was inactivated above 40 degrees C. Three isoforms of tyrosinase were detected on SDS-PAGE with apparent molecular mass approximately 127, 31 and 27 kDa respectively. On staining sections of A. campanulatus with L-DOPA as substrate and 3-methyl benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) for colour development, tyrosinase was detected in the intercellular spaces of the plant tissue. The cytosolic region did not show any colour indicating the absence of the enzyme.     

漆酶在磁性壳聚糖微球上的固定及其酶学性质研究

以磁性壳聚糖微球为载体,戊二醛为交联剂,共价结合制备固定化漆酶。探讨了漆酶固定化的影响因素,并对固定化漆酶的性质进行了研究。确定漆酶固定化适宜条件为：50 mg磁性壳聚糖微球,加入10mL 0.8mg/mL 漆酶磷酸盐缓冲液（0.1mol/L,pH 7.0）,在4℃固定2h。固定化酶最适pH为3.0, 最适温度分别为10℃和55℃,均比游离酶降低5℃。在pH 3.0,温度37℃时,固定化酶对ABTS的表观米氏常数为171.1μmol/L。与游离酶相比,该固定化漆酶热稳定性明显提高,并具有良好的操作和存储稳定性。     

Immobilization of polyphenol oxidase on chitosan–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> gel for removal of aqueous phenol

A partially purified potato polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was immobilized in a cross-linked chitosan–SiO₂ gel and used to treat phenol solutions. Under optimized conditions (formaldehyde 20 mg/ml, PPO 4 mg/ml and pH 7.0), the activity of immobilized PPO was 1370 U/g and its K _m value for catechol was 12 mm at 25°C. The highest activity of immobilized enzyme was at pH 7.4. Immobilization stabilized the enzyme with 73 and 58% retention of activity after 10 and 20 days, respectively, at 30°C whereas most of the free enzyme was inactive after 7 days. The efficiency of removing phenol (10 mg phenol/l) by the immobilized PPO was 86%, and about 60% removal efficiency was retained after five recycles. The immobilized PPO may thus be a useful for removing phenolic compounds from industrial waste-waters.     

Structure-activity relationship of the tocopherol-regeneration reaction by catechins

The reaction rates (k(r)) of 5,7-diisopropyl-tocopheroxyl radical (Toc) with catechins (epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) and related compounds (methyl gallate (MG), 4-methylcatechol (MC), and 5-methoxyresorcinol (MR)) have been measured by stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The k(r) values increased in the order of MR < < MG < EC < MC approximately ECG < EGC < EGCG in ethanol and 2-propanol/H(2)O (5/1, v/v) solutions, indicating that the reactivity of the OH groups in catechins increased in the order of resorcinol A-ring < < gallate G-ring < catechol B-ring < pyrogallol B-ring. The catechins which have lower oxidation potentials show higher reactivities. The rate constants for catechins in micellar solution showed notable pH dependence with one or two peaks around pH 9-11, because of the dissociation of various phenolic hydroxyl protons in catechins. The structure-activity relationship in the free-radical-scavenging reaction by catechins has been clarified by the detailed analyses of the pH dependence of k(r) values. The reaction rates increased remarkably with increasing the anionic character of catechins, that is, the electron-donating capacity of catechins. The mono anion form at catechol B-and resorcinol A-rings and dianion form at pyrogallol B-and gallate G-rings show the highest activity for free-radical-scavenging. It was found that catechins (EC, ECG, EGC, and EGCG) have activity similar to or higher than that of vitamin C in vitamin E regeneration at pH 7-12 in micellar solution.     

Polyphenol oxidase activity in dormant saffron (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis>) corm

Crocus sativus L., cultivated since ancient times as the source of saffron, is a triploid plant that can be propagated only via its corms which undergo a period of dormancy. Understanding the processes taking place in the corm is essential to preserve the plant and improve its quality. Color and taste being of prime importance in the quality of the saffron spice, knowledge on polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in the plant is of particular interest given the role of the enzyme in fruit and vegetable browning during processing and during the storage of processed food. In this paper, PPO activity was investigated for the first time in extracts obtained from dormant C. sativus L. corms. PPO activity was detectable using l-DOPA, pyrogallol, catechol or p-cresol as substrate, each being oxidized to its corresponding o-quinone; no activity was detectable with l-tyrosine, tyramine or phenol as substrate. Two pH optima, respectively at 4.5 and 6.7, were observed with all substrates and a third one, at 8.5, was found with l-DOPA and p-cresol. Kinetics parameters studied at pH 6.7 indicated the highest catalytic efficiency (in units mg⁻¹ prot mM⁻¹) with pyrogallol: 150, then catechol: 39, l-DOPA: 6.4 and p-cresol: 4.6. The enzymatic activity was inhibited by 50% in the presence of 0.22, 0.35, 0.5 and 0.7 mM kojic acid with, respectively, catechol, pyrogallol, p-cresol and l-DOPA as substrate. When stained for PPO activity, non-denaturing gel electropherograms of extract revealed three distinct bands, indicating the presence of multiple isoenzymes in dormant C. sativus L. corms.     

Induction of C-reactive protein by cytokines in human hepatoma cell lines is potentiated by caffeine.

Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase, which catalyses the reduction of progesterone to 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, was isolated and characterized from cell cultures of Digitalis lanata (foxglove). Optimum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.0, and the enzyme had an apparent Km value of 30 microM for its substrate progesterone. The enzyme needs NADPH as reductant, which could not be replaced by NADH. For NADPH, the apparent Km value is 130 microM. The optimum temperature was 40 degrees C; at temperatures below 45 degrees C, the product 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione was reduced by a second reaction to 5 alpha-pregnan-3 beta-ol-20-one. Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity was not dependent on bivalent cations. In the presence of EDTA, 0.1 mM-Mn2+ had no influence on enzyme activity, whereas 0.1 mM-Ca2+, -Co2+ and -Zn2+ decreased progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity. Only 0.1 mM-Mg2+ was slightly stimulatory. EDTA and thiol reagents such as dithiothreitol stimulate progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity. By means of linear sucrose gradient fractionation of the cellular membranes, progesterone 5 alpha-reductase was found to be located in the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Purification and properties of invertase from the flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa

Invertase (beta-fructofuranosidase, EC 3.2.1.26) was purified from the flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa, which is used to prepare certain fermented Ayurvedic drugs. The enzyme was purified to near homogeneity as judged by native PAGE with a yield of 10.7%, using (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, followed by gel filtration through Sepharose 4B and DEAE cellulose chromatography at pH 6.8 and 4.42. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme as determined by elution through Sepharose 4B gel column was found to be approximately 280 kDa. SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme showed that the enzyme is composed of three subunits with molecular mass of 66, 43 and 40 kDa. The enzyme showed a broad pH optimum between 4.0-7.0. Optimum assay temperature was 37 degrees C and above 45 degrees C, the enzyme activity slowly declined and inactivated around 80 degrees C. The apparent Km value of the enzyme for sucrose was 160 mM.