From cotyledons of Raphanus sativus (red radish) an esterase activity which catalyzes the hydrolysis of sinapine into sinapic acid and choline has been isolated. The enzyme, which has a near absolute specificity, is not analogous with any esterase described in the literature. The reaction has a pH optimum of 8.5 and the apparent Km is 1.95 × 10-5 m. The enzyme is relatively insensitive to both physostigmine (eserine) {Ki = 1.73 × 10-4 m) and neostigmine (Ki = 2 .1 3 × 10-4 ᴍ). Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) showed no inhibition and diethyl p-nitrophenylphosphate (E 600) only a slight inhibitory effect at 10-5 ᴍ, respectively. Choline (10-2 ᴍ) was inhibitory but acetylcholine (10-2 ᴍ) stimulated the enzyme activity.