516. A simple method for preparing crystalline rennin

Abstract

The preparation of crystalline rennin previously described (1) was somewhat long and inconvenient, but the knowledge gained about the properties of the crystals suggested that a simpler method might be successful. Since then Møgensen (2) has shown that the mere precipitation of commercial rennet with saturated sodium chloride gives a product with proteolytic properties resembling those of the crystalline material, and with enhanced milk-clotting activity per unit of dry weight. Some years previously, Hankinson (3) had also achieved considerable purification by these means. The results of an attempt to discover a simple method of crystallization are described below.