Chlorophyllase of sugar-beet leaves

The chlorophyllase of sugar-beet leaves was characterized and partly purified by gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography on various types of Sephadex. A rapid method was developed for determining the chlorophyllase activity of fractions from columns. Indications of more than one form of the enzyme may be explained by its tendency to associate or aggregate with itself or with other substances. Association is greater in 0·02 M citrate than in citrate containing 0·5 M NaCl. The enzyme is strongly adsorbed to negatively charged materials, which may explain its improved extractibility when the sodium chloride concentration of the medium is increased. Measurements of some properties of the enzyme are affected by insolubility of the substrate.