ScienceAsia 21 (1995): 293-303 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.1995.21.293

SCREENING OF GLYCOHYDROLASE ENZYMES IN THAI PLANT SEEDS FOR POTENTIAL USE IN OLIGOSACCHARIDE SYNTHESIS

RUDEE SURARIT,^1,2 M.R. JISNUSON SVASTI,^2,3 CHANTRAGAN SRISOMSAP,² WIPA SUGINTA,³ SAUVARAT KHUNYOSHYENG,² SIRINUN NILWARANGKOON,³ PINTUSORN HARNSAKUL,² AND EM-ON BENJAVONGKULCHAI⁴

ABSTRACT: Thai plant seeds from 50 species in 17 families have been screened for glycohydrolase activity. The enzymes -D-mannosidase, -D-glucosidase, -D-fucosidase, -D-galactosidase, -D-galactosidase, and -D-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase were found in significant amounts (>0.1 mole/min/ g seed), and 38 species contained one or more of these enzymes. Reversal of hydrolytic action was tested by prolonged incubation with 50% (w/w) monosaccharide at pH 5, at elevated temperature. Significant levels of oligosaccharide synthesis was observed with -D-mannosidase from Albizzia procera Benth., -D-glucosidase from Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre, and -D-galactosidase from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. var. altissima.

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1 Dept. of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Yothi St., Bangkok 10400;
2 Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Vibhavadee Rangsit Rd., Bangkok 10210;
3 Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd., Bangkok 10400;
4 Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Hen'; Dunant St., Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

Received September 21, 1995