The effect of sulphates on partitioning of pectinases in aqueous two-phase systems

The effect of various sulphate salts on the partitioning of endo-pectinase and exo-pectinase in aqueous two-phase systems, composed of polyethylene glycol and dextran, was studied. Presence of ammonium sulphate and sodium sulphate at concentration 15 mmol/l in the system polyethylene glycol 4000/crude dextran, at tie-line length 7.44%, increased partition coefficient of endo-pectinase 1.25 and 1.2 fold, respectively. Ammonium sulphate at 15 mmol/l and sodium sulphate at 5 mmol/l enhanced partition coefficient for exo-pectinase for about 60% in comparison to the system without salts. Addition of magnesium and sodium sulphate to a final concentration of 0.3 mmol/l in the system containing polyethylene glycol 6000/dextran 500 000, at tie-line length 6.26%, increased the partition coefficient of endo activity for 95% and 32%, respectively. Both salts at the same concentration increased partition coefficient of exo activity 1.5 and 3 times, respectively, in comparison to the system without salts