General Works and Nomenclature

A review of the occurrence, purification, properties, and modes of action of hemicellulases has dealt with L-arabinanases, D-galactanases, D-mannanase, and D-xylanases, while a comprehensive review of pectolytic enzymes has discussed their classification and the assay and properties of pectinesterases and poly-D-galacturonate hydrolases and lyases.  

Methods of Assay.—Included in a handbook on methods of enzymic analysis are methods of assay, automated assays, uses of immobilized enzymes, and sources of enzymes and reagents. The latest volume in the series Principles of Enzymatic Analysis introduces a new nomenclature for quantities and units of activity, and discusses in detail prerequisites for the development of new assays.  

A review of enzyme analysers has described the automation of fixed-time and continuous-monitoring assays and the uses of partly or completely automated analysers and multi-channel systems. Automated analyses of polysaccharide hydrolases, in soluble or insoluble form, have been based on determination of the liberated reducing sugars with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid. A sensitive and specific method for locating glycoside hydrolases (e.g. oc-D-mannosidases) in polyacryl- 

The possibilities of separating biologically-active macromolecules on magnetic supports have been discussed. 

Properties.—The latest volume in the series Methods in Enzymology deals with the chemistry and biology of several proteolytic enzymes. 

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