Isolation and partial characterization of trehalase from Ascaris muscle.

The tissues of female Ascaris suum were assayed for alpha,apha'-glucoside 1-D-glucohydrolase (trehalase) activity. A soluble from of the enzyme was isolated from muscle tissue and purified approximately 37-fold. The enzyme was specific for trehalose as substrate. The pH optimum for enzymatic activity was found to be 6.0, and the apparent Km for trehalose was estimated to be 2.1 x 10-4 M. The product of the reaction was identified as D-glucose by chemical, chromatographic and enzymatic methods.