Study of Cellulase and Macerating Enzyme Activity and Effect of Catechin on Cellulose

Aims: To study the activity of cellulase and macerating enzyme and effect of catechin on cellulose.

The cell walls of all higher plants primarily contain cellulose. In cellulose, the polysaccharides have linkages like β-1,4-linked homopolymer of glucose. Using sodium acetate buffer (0.1 M) optimum activity of cellulase and macerating enzyme activity was studied by DNSA method. The activity of the enzyme was also studied on dried tea leaf particles. Cellulases and macerating enzyme hydrolyse cellulose into glucose and other active ingredients like dextrose and fructose, thus improving the extraction rate by increasing the permeability of plant cell walls. The effect of catechin presence in the reaction mixture was studied as its inhibition is well documented. It was demonstrated that catechin took part in the process either by inhibiting or facilitating the reaction. The detailed mechanism is discussed in the article.