An improved method for the extraction and electrophoresis of proteins and active enzymes from fucalean macroalgae (Phaeophyta)

Abstract

A new and improved method for the extraction and electrophoresis of enzymes and proteins of brown algal species has been developed. This method gives a more expedient sample preparation, a significantly enhanced enzyme yield and improved electrophoretic resolution over earlier methods. Twenty-one enzymes were examined spectrophotometrically and/or electrophoretically on polyacrylamide slab gels. Comparison of electrophoretograms were made between six species of the Order Fucales. The viability of this method in detecting inter- and intraspecific differences is demonstrated. The glycoprotein nature of some of the enzymes is explored and the effect on the electrophoretic mobility of the enzymes after treatment of the extract with exoglycosidases is demonstrated.