Surface films of invertase

Abstract

1. A new technique has been described for studying the mechanism of action of pH on spreading of invertase. The film of invertase on 0.1 N HCl pH 1.0 was transferred to buffer solution pH 3.0 after washing it with distilled water. In the second experiment the film was spread on buffer of pH 3.0 and brought to 0.1 N HCl pH 1.0. 2. Sodium metaphosphate and trichloracetic acid have a contracting effect on the film at low pH but at higher pH the spreading is increased because the tendency of the film to dissolve at higher pH is reduced by these precipitants. 3. Ammonium sulphate at low pH has got a contracting effect but at higher pH this also increases the spreading. Barium chloride however increases the spreading considerably. 4. Invert sugar has been found to have no effect on the spreading of invertase. 5. Heating of invertase makes it completely inactive but the spreading is found to increase. 6. Treatment of the invertase with formaldehyde causes a decrease in spreading.