Cellulase Inhibitor in Grape Leaves

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Abstract
1. A water-soluble substance in grape leaves which inhibits the enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble cellulose is reported. The mature leaves of six grape varieties of the Muscadine group (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) were found to be good sources of the inhibitor. 2. The reduction in cellulase activity obtained was directly related to the concentration of inhibitor used. Cucumber-flower cellulase was more sensitive to inhibition by the grape-leaf substance than were the four commercial cellulases studied. 3. The grape-leaf extracts containing the inhibiting substance were stable to heat, to weak acid and alkali, and to such protein precipitating agents as trichloroacetic acid. The inhibitor was non-dialyzable through cellophane or collodion membranes against water or weakly buffered solutions (3 days). 4. The cellulase-inhibiting substance is not related in structure to carbohydrates or proteins and appears to be a high-molecular-weight organic constituent.

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