Purification and partial characterization of the alkaline phosphatase from Allolobophora caliginosa

Abstract 1. 1. A purification of the enzyme from the starting material was achieved by means of butanol and acetone fractionations and, successively, by DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-200 chromatographies. 2. 2. Two enzymatic forms were separated; they showed various similar characteristics but differed greatly in specific activity. 3. 3. It is probable that in A. caliginosa a sole alkaline phosphatase form exists and the less active fraction is partly denatured enzyme. 4. 4. It is not completely possible to exclude the existence of two isoenzymes.