THERMOLABILE ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE FROM SPHRINGOBACTERIUM-ANTARCTICUS A PSYCHROTROPHIC BACTERIUM FROM ANTARCTICA

Eight psychrotrophic strains belonging to four different genera were s creened for the presence of cold-active alkaline phosphatase in sonica ted cell homogenates. An approximately 1000-fold higher activity than E. coli was detected in two psychrotrophic strains of Sphingobacterium antarcticus and one mesophilic strain of Flavobacterium multivorum. T he enzymes from the psychrotrophs showed maximum activity at 37 degree s C and were also found to be active at 0 degrees C. Alkaline phosphat ase from one psychrotrophic Sphingobacterium lost 97% of its activity when it was heated for 10 min at 62 degrees C. This enzyme was partial ly purified and characterised. The production of the enzyme was repres sed when the organism was grown in the presence of phosphates and its activity was inhibited on preincubation with inorganic phosphates and ethylene diamine tetracetic acid. Potassium permanganate and potassium periodate did not inhibit the activity of the enzyme, The biotechnolo gical importance of the enzyme is discussed.