Title: Purification, crystallization, and properties of an endo .BETA.-1,3-glucanase from Rhizopus chinensis R-69.
Abstract: An endo β-1, 3-glucanase was purified in crystalline form from a culture filtrate of Rhizopus chinensis R-69. Molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 23, 000 by molecular sieve chromatography and the mode of action of the enzyme was suggested to be a less random type of β-1, 3-glucanase. Km and Vmax of the enzyme for laminarin are 3.4g/liter and 154 I. U., respectively. The enzyme does not decompose the cell walls of living yeast; it decomposes, however, the preparation of yeast glucan.