High-performance liquid chromatographic investigations on some enzymes of papaya latex.

Papaya latex and commercial chymopapain have been examined by cation-exchange chromatography on a TSK SP 5PW column. Multiple components are observed and the resolution is superior to that obtained by low-pressure ion exchange. Most components display amidase activity. Fractions obtained from chymopapain by preliminary chromatography on SP-Sephadex have also been examined by the same procedure and by N-terminal and amino acid analysis. The results are consistent with the existence of chymopapain in multiple forms, the proportions of which alter. The chromatographic profile of chymopapain is influenced by the presence of cysteine in the sample.