ENZYMIC OXIDATION OF CAROTENE AND LINOLEATE BY ALFALFA - EXTRACTION AND SEPARATION OF ACTIVE FRACTIONS

The activity of aqueous extracts from alfalfa leaves toward the oxidation of linoleate and the coupled oxidation of carotene was measured by polarographic and colorimetric methods, respectively. Highest activities were achieved by using as extractant a solution of 1 per cent Triton X-100, in phosphate buffer pH 6·8. Chromatography on CM-cellulose resulted in the separation of four distinct protein peaks (A-D), which coincided with peaks of lipid oxidizing activity. The bulk of the activity of the extract was recovered in peaks B and C. All fractions exhibited activity maxima at pH 6·5-6·8. A second activity peak at pH 4·0-4·5 was also observed in fractions A and B in the carotene oxidation test. © 1969.