Inhibition of pectin-esterase activity

ABSTRACT

The inhibitory effects of p-chloromercuribenzoate, iodo-acetic acid, and 24 - dinitro - 1 - fluoro-benzene, on pectin-esterase, isolated from sour oranges, were studied. p-chloromercuribenzoate [5 x 102 M] inhibited 95.08% activity of pectinesterase. Application of cysteine to the system containing chloromercuri-benzoate was found ineffective to cause reversion of pectin esterase activity. 22 - D, [10-1 M] and iodo-acetic acid [10-1 M] produced 29.06% and 37.36% respectively inhibition of pectinesterase activity. Nitroprusside test was found positive. These findings suggest the presence of thiol group [s] which may form an integral part of active site of the enzyme