Milk enzymes—their distribution and activity

Abstract

SummaryThe distribution and activity of alkaline phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.1), acid phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.2), catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6), xanthine oxidase (E.C. 1.2.3.2), aldolase (E.C. 4.1.2.7 and 4.1.2.13), ribonuclease (E.C. 2.7.7.16) and carbonic anhydrase (E.C. 4.2.1.1) were studied in the major components of bovine milk. Fractionation was accomplished by centrifugation of milk, skim-milk and buttermilk, and ammonium sulphate precipitation of skim-milk serum. The range of activities found for the enzymes studied are tabulated together with the activities of some of the enzymes in mastitic milk, and the significance of the results obtained is discussed. No carbonic anhydrase activity was detected in any of the samples tested. The other enzymes studied were found to have a greater proportion of their total activity located in the skim-milk fraction. However, all of these enzymes except ribonuclease had a higher specific activity in the fat fraction.