Studies of Macerating Enzyme acting on Middle Lamella Pectin

Part I. Separation of the Macerating Enzyme produced by Cl. felsineum var. sikokianum

Abstract

Cl. felsineum var. sikokianum produces the maceration enzyme, which converts insoluble middle lamella pectin to the soluble form. This enzyme differs from liquefying polygalactu-ronase (PG) in its enzymic action, although two enzymes are always produced together by various microorganisms, and their properties are found to be mutually similar. The macera-tion enzyme has been obtained from a partially purified solution containing this enzyme and liquefying PG, by application of the ion exchange resin chromatography. It was found that pectin in the barks of Ganpi changed into the soluble form, this being quantitatively deter-mined, when enzymic retting was performed by the purified maceration enzyme.