Process for isolation of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase from plant leaves
AssigneeLeaf Proteins, Inc.
InventorsSamuel G. Wildman, Prachuab Kwanyuen
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Abstract
Described herein is a process for isolating the enzymatic protein ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase from the green leaves of plants. In the process, which is particularly suited to obtaining the protein from tobacco, the leaves are ground or otherwise pulverized in the presence of a reducing agent, followed by heating the resulting pulp to about 50.degree. C. A liquid portion containing the desired protein is separated from the pulp and then cooled to cause the crystallization of the ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase. After separation of the crystalline material, the supernatant is acidified to yield lower molecular weight proteins.
Claims27
A process for obtaining ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase from plant material comprising the leaves of green plants comprising the steps:
- (a) converting the leaves to a pulp comprising a mixture of a solid portion and a liquid portion, said liquid portion containing dissolved ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxyase;
- (b) heating the liquid portion to a temperature below that at which protein in the liquid portion denatures for a time sufficient to induce the ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase to crystallize when said liquid portion is cooled;
- and
- (c) cooling said liquid portion to a temperature at which said ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase crystallizes.
Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase in the form of octagonal crystals.
A process for obtaining ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase from tobacco plant material comprising the steps:
- (a) converting the plant material to a pulp comprising a mixture of a solid portion and a liquid portion, the liquid portion containing dissolved ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase;
- (b) heating the pulp to a temperature below that at which the protein in the liquid portion denatures for a time sufficient to induce the ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase to crystallize when said liquid portion is cooled;
- (c) separating the liquid portion from the solid portion;
- and
- (d) cooling the liquid portion to a temperature at which said ribulose 1,5-diphosphate crystallizes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.