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The assay of β-galactosidase in soil

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Abstract

The method for the assay of β-galactosidase introduced by Lederberg (1950) was modified and used for studies of the enzyme in the soil.o-Nitrophenyl-β-d-galactoside served as substrate. Trismaleinate buffer was found to be more suitable than phosphate buffer in the assay. The enzyme reaction was stopped by adding sulphuric acid and the incubation mixture was alkalized with sodium carbonate so that the yellow colour ofo-nitrophenol could develop. The method is sensitive and specific and requires small quantities of soil and a short incubation time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague 4

    P. Ryšavý & J. Macura

Authors
  1. P. Ryšavý
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  2. J. Macura
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Ryšavý, P., Macura, J. The assay of β-galactosidase in soil. Folia Microbiol 17, 370–374 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02884105

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02884105

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