Properties of Some Enzymes Used for Protoplast Isolation

Abstract

The degree of success achieved in obtaining protoplasts in consistent yields and quality can vary enormously. This can depend on the plant species or tissue used and its age (e.g. Watts et al. 1974) or on the nature of the digestion medium (e.g. Zeiger and Hepler 1976). In parallel with the increase in popularity of protoplasts as experimental tools, more commercial cellulases and pectinases have become available and the use of various non-enzyme components in isolation media has become more common. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the properties of enzyme mixtures in use or of other “additives” has not kept pace, and there is a need for quantitative data on the effects of particular products on protoplast yield and physiology. In this chapter we present the results of a study on the properties of Cellulysin, a commercial product in general use, and describe some effects of various additives to the isolation medium.