Preparation of linamarase solution from cassava latex for use in the cassava cyanide kit

A simple method is described for the preparation of linamarase from cassava latex (sap). Latex, obtained from the end of the petiole (stalk) of cassav a leaves, is mixed with water and the solution filtered to give a crude sol ution of enzyme. This solution may be stored indefinitely in the deep freez e. It may be used without any purification:in kits for determination of cya nogens in cassava tubers and cassava products (flour, gari, etc). Immobilis ation of linamarase in filter paper discs in the presence of a stabiliser ( gelatin/PVP-10) reduces-its activity to 25% and in the absence of stabilise r to only 4%. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.