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Enzymatic Activities Related to the Decomposition of Coniferous Leaf Litter
Author(s) -
Spalding Brian P.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1977.03615995004100030041x
Subject(s) - chemistry , carbohydrase , invertase , cellulase , amylase , litter , xylan , starch , hydrolysis , sucrose , xylanase , food science , botany , enzyme , biochemistry , biology , agronomy
The rate of CO 2 evolution at 23°C and 75% moisture content for a diverse group of coniferous leaf litter samples from Oregon was measured. Significant correlations (1% level) were observed between the rate of CO 2 evolution and the activity of amylase, cellulase, and xylanase ( r = 0.71, 0.58, and 0.44, respectively) in 0.05 M potassium acetate, pH 5.0 extracts of the litter. The amounts of extractable hexose, phenolics, and reducing substances were also correlated with the rate of CO 2 evolution ( r = 0.74, 0.53, and 0.73 respectively). Peroxidase and invertase activities were not correlated with the rate of CO 2 evolution. Litter extracts showed zero‐order kinetics for the hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose, xylan, starch, and sucrose. All carbohydrase activities were destroyed by a 15 min exposure to a boiling water bath.