Studies on β-Glucuronidase from E. coli.

Abstract

Summary

Potent culture fluid preparations of β-glucuronidase are obtained when E. coli is grown at 25°C and pH 7.3 in a simple medium containing menthyl-β-glucuronide. The optimum incubation time is 8 days when continuous agitation is employed. The optimum pH for the hydrolysis of phenolphthalein mono-β-glucuronidei is 6.2, while that for estriol-4bT-glucuronide is 4.5-7.0. Bacterial β-glucuronidase is readily inhibited by ammonium ion. Dialysis markedly decreases the enzymatic activity of our preparations. The culture fluid contains phosphatase but no sulfatase activity.