A Zonal Rotor Method for the Preparation of Microperoxisomes from Epithelial Cells of Guinea Pig Small Intestine

A method is described for the preparation of catalase particles from homogenates made from suspensions of epithelial cells of the small intestine of the guinea pig. Electron microscope examination of the preparations revealed the presence of small diaminobenzidine-positive particles measuring 0.1-0.3 nm in diameter and resembling the microperoxisomes observed by Novikoff and Novikoff (1972. J. Cell Biol. 53:532.). Analytical data upon which the method is based are presented. The technique consisted of a rate zonal separation of microperoxisomes from large particles followed by an isopycnic separation from less dense organelles. Application of the method yielded microperoxisomes purified between 20- and 30-fold.