α-L-Arabinofuranosidase (α-L-Af) belongs to the family of glycosyl hydrolases, which can be hydrolyzed
from the non-reducing ends of polymers containing arabinose residues such as arabinoxylan, arabinan and
arabinose galactosan etc. to form an L-arabinose molecule. This enzyme plays an important role in the
degradation of hemicellulose, the ripening and softening of fruits.
α-L-Af decomposes p-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside to produce p-nitrophenol, p-nitrophenol has a
maximum absorption peak at 400 nm, which can be calculated by measuring the change in absorbance at
400 nm.
Reagents and Equipment Required but Not Provided
Spectrophotometer, centrifuge, water-bath, transferpettor, 1 mL glass cuvette, mortar/homogenizer, ice and
distilled water.