Lysolecithinase in Fish Muscle

Abstract
SUMMARY—: The preparation of a phospholipase from fish muscle is described. It splits added lysolecithin and contains practically no endogenous substrates. Active preparations were obtained from fresh Saurida undosquamus and some commercial cod preparations. Similar preparations from several other species were inactive. Activity is lost after frozen storage for several months.The preparation does not split lecithin. However, in the presence of lysolecithin, lecithin is also hydrolyzed. This effect of lysolecithin is due to entrapped snake venom, used for its preparation. However, snake venom itself does not split lecithin under the conditions used and becomes active by the presence of fish muscle lysolecithinase preparations.