Carbohydrases of the bovine small intestine

Abstract

1. Homogenates of mucosa from bovine small intestine hydrolysed isomaltose slowly.2. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 6·0–6·2 and possessed aKmvalue of 9·1 mM.3. Isomaltase and maltase activities showed a similar pattern of distribution along the small intestine; activity was higher in the jejunum than in the ileum, the lowest activity being in the duodenum.4. Neither activity changed markedly with age.5. The disaccharidase activities (maltase, isomaltase, trehalase, lactase and cellobiase) of the small intestine were found in the sediment when homogenates were centrifuged at 100000g.6. Heat inactivation studies suggested that there was one enzyme which hydrolysed trehalose, one enzyme which hydrolysed isomaltose, one enzyme which hydrolysed lactose and cellobiose and that the hydrolysis of maltose was brought about by more than one enzyme.