alpha-L-Arabinofuranosidases and beta-D-galactosidases in germinating-lupin cotyledons.

Extraction of germinating-lupin cocyledons, followed by ion-exchange and gel chromatography, gave two alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases and three beta-D-galactopyranosidases. Some fractions were further purified by using Concanavalin A-Sepharose. The changes in the activities of the enzymes during germination have been determined. Some kinetic and physical properties of these enzymes are described, and their role in the modification of cell-wall polysaccharides is discussed.