Isolation and Characterization of a Chlorogenic Acid Esterase from Aspergillus niger

Abstract The isolation and characterization of a specific chlorogenic acid esterase is described. The enzyme activity is measured by determination of the hydrolysis product caffeic acid. The enzyme had been concentrated by means of ultrafiltration and column-chromatography. The pH- and temperature optimum were 6.5 and 45 °C respectively. Divalent cations were not required for the enzyme activity. As other esterases, this enzyme is inhibited by di-isopropyl-phosphorofluoridate. The K m -value is 0.70 mᴍ chlorogenic acid, the molecular weight 240000. The described enzyme is specific for chlorogenic acid. On the other hand a typical unspecific esterase like the pig liver esterases does not split chloro­genic acid. The isoelectric focusing reveals several isoenzymes of chlorogenase within a pI-range of 4.0-4.5.