STUDIES ON THE ENZYMES OF THE SEEDS OF BUTEA FRONDOSA. PART I. PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME

The fresh seeds of \(Butea\) \(frondosa\) possess anthelmintic action, specially against ascaris. The seeds were found to contain proteolytic enzymes which hydrolyse peptones and casein, liqiuefy gelatin but have no action on egg-albumin or fibrin. They act best in a slightly alkaline medium and the optimum temperature is near about 40°. Hydrocyanic acid is found to have a definite activating influence. They behave like ' yeast trvpsin ' and appear to be a mixture of plant proteinase and polypeptidase.