Abstract
The in vitro properties of semi-purified chlorophyllase (chlorophyll-chlorophyllido hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.14) from Capsicum annuum fruits have been studied. The enzym e showed an optimum of activity at pH 8.5 and 50 °C. Substrate specificity was studied for chlorophyll (Chi) a, Chi b, pheophytin (Phe) a and Phe b, with Km values of 10.70, 4.04, 2.67 and 6.37 μᴍ respectively. Substrate inhibition was found for Phe b at concentrations higher than 5 μᴍ. Chlorophyllase action on Chi a' and Chi b' was also studied but no hydrolysis was observed, suggesting that the mechanism of action depends on the configuration at C-132 in the chloro phyll molecule, with the enzyme acting only on compounds with R132 stereochemistry. The effect of various metals (Mg2+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Co , Fe2+ and Fe3+) was also investigated, and a general inhibitory effect was found, this being more marked for Hg2+ and Fe2+. Functional groups such as -SH and -S-S-seem ed to participate in the formation o f the enzyme-substrate complex. Chelating ion and the carbonyl group at C3 appeared to be important in substrate recognition by the enzyme. The method for measuring Chlase activity, including HPLC separation of substrate and product, has been optimized.