<img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/small.gif' border=0>-glutaminase activity in marine sediments

Abstract

Mangrove sediments exhibited higher activity of <img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/small.gif' border=0>-glutaminase (<img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/small.gif' border=0>-glutamine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5, 1.2) compared to sediments collected from other biotopes. Clayey sediments showed higher enzyme activity than the silty ones. The enzyme showed 2 <i>p</i>H optima (at 5.6 and 8.4) but maximum activity was observed at <i>p</i>H 8.4. <i>K_M</i> of <img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/small.gif' border=0>-glutaminase was 1 x 10^-4 <i>M</i> and activity of the enzyme was unaffected by sodium chloride even up to a 10% conc. Citrate ions inhibited the enzyme activity. Glutaminase activity was comparatively higher than asparaginase in all sediment samples collected from different biotopes.