Purification of a novel enzyme involved in catechin degradation by Calvatia gigantea

A novel enzyme, involved in the degradation of catechin by Calvatia gigantea , was purified 114-fold over the crude extract yielding 24% purified enzyme with a specific activity 16.1 U/mg protein. Two isozymic forms (I and II) were isolated, both exhibiting the same kinetic characteristics with maximum activity at pH 8 and 35 degree C. SDS electrophoresis of I and II revealed the presence of two identical components in each form with molecular weights 50,500 and 49,500.