1906.] 



Studies on Enzyme Action. 



383 



The results show that the difference is probably only one of degree and 

 also illustrate the comparative instability of the animal product. 





Cubic centimetres of K /5 alkali corresponding to acid 

 liberated by enzyme at 25° after — 



Animal. 



Vegetable. 



20 hours. 



68 hours. 



20 hours. 



68 hours. 





9-65 



10 -35 



3-5 



7-5 



Ethylic dimethylinalonate 



4-0 



4-35 



none 



none 



Ethvlic succinate 



22 -15 



24 -9 



15 -5 



25 -8 



Ethylic inalate 



7-65 



7-85 



2 -25 



6 



Ethylic tartrate 



none 



0-3 



none 



none 



From the following results it seems that if only sufficient enzyme be used 

 all ethereal salts are more or less attacked : — 



Animal lipase. Vegetable lipase. 



1 c.c. salt + 02 c.c. toluene 1 c.c. salt + 20 c.c. water + 2 c.c. 



+ 20 c.c. 2 per cent, liver juice. N/5 acetic acid + 0'2 c.c. toluene 



+ T0 gramme seed residue. 





Cubic centimetres of N/5 alkali corresponding to acid 

 liberated by enzyme at 25° after — 



Animal. 



Vegetable. 



21 hours. 



68 hours. 



21 hours. 



68 hours. 



Ethylic mandelate 



Ethylic benzoate 



Methylic salicylate 



Ethylic tartrate 



1 -4 

 2-8 

 3 

 3 6 

 2 



1 -4 

 3 9 

 0-3 

 10 -35 



1-9 



68 

 0-2 

 3 3 



1 



2 '0 

 0-8 

 0-4 

 9 9 



It is proposed to study the action of lipase very thoroughly from the point 

 of view of the working hypothesis now brought forward. A comparative 

 examination of the enzyme derived from various sources will also be under- 

 taken, both in order to ascertain whether only one form of lipase exists and 

 to obtain the hydrolyst in a really suitable form for the quantitative study 

 of its effects. Should the explanation we have advanced be justified, ethereal 

 salts will be a material at least as valuable as that afforded by the carbo- 

 hydrates for the comparative study of enzymes and acids as hydrolytic 

 agents. 



