Studies on -Glucuronidase from E. coli.

Abstract

Potent culture fluid prepns. of beta-glucuronidase were obtained when Escherichia coli, isolated from a case of cystitis, was grown at 25[degree]C and pH 7.3 in a peptone-beef-extract medium containing menthyl-beta-glucuronide. The optimum incubation time was 8 days when continuous agitation was employed. The optimum pH for the hydrolysis of phenol-phthalein mono-beta-glucuronide was 6.2, while that for estriol beta-glucuronide was 4.5-7. Dialysis, as well as the presence of ammonium ion, readily decreased the activity of this beta-glucuronidase. The culture fluids contained phosphatase but no sulfatase activity.