Isolation and characterization of acid phosphatase from maize grains [Zea may]

ABSTRACT

Acid phosphatase from maize powder was extracted with Tris-HCl buffer. Best extraction was carried out at pH 8.5 and at low ionic strength. The enzyme was found to be more stable at pH 5.5 at room temperature for 24 hours of incubation period. It was completely denatured at 70°C within a few miuutes. The enzyme had an optimum pH 4.8 and optimum temperature of 55°C. The Km value was found to be 0.6 mM for p. nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate. Zn+2, Cd+2, Cu+2 and Hg+2 inactivated the enzyme while Ba+2 had an activating influence. Among the anions, PO4-3 and F-1 acted as potent inhibitors of the enzyme. The effect of ionic strength upon the activity was insignificant