The formation of phenolic substances in <i>Eucalyptus gigantea</i> and <i>Eucalyptus sieberiana</i>

Abstract

ELASTASE ACTIVITY OF PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES 6073. Preparations of bacterial chondrosulphatase, purified chondroitinase and testicular hyaluronid- ase showed no activity.4. Preparations of a-amylase from saliva and cereal seeds were inactive but a crystalline sample of pancreatic a-amylase showed activity.This disappeared on further recrystallization, and it is concluded that the elastolytic activity of a-amylase reported in the literature is due to contamination with pancreatic elastase.5. Various commercial preparations of ficin all showed the same ratio of elastolytic to proteolytic activity as measured by viscosity reduction of gelatin.This same ratio was maintained throughout fractionation and purification of commercial dried fig latex.It was concluded that 'fig-latex elastase' is identical with the major proteolytic enzyme in preparations of 'ficin'.6.The results of the survey confirm the view that elastolysis is the result of proteolytic activity.The failure of certain well-characterized proteo- lytic enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin to dissolve elastin is attributed either to their failure to penetrate the cross-linked structure of elastin or to the very restricted peptide-bond specificity exhibited by these enzymes.