Preparation of linamarase solution from cassava latex for use in the cassava cyanide kit

A simple method is described for the preparation of linamarase from cassava latex (sap). Latex, obtained from the end of the petiole (stalk) of cassava leaves, is mixed with water and the solution filtered to give a crude solution of enzyme. This solution may be stored indefinitely in the deep freeze. It may be used without any purification in kits for determination of cyanogens in cassava tubers and cassava products (flour, gari, etc). Immobilisation of linamarase in filter paper discs in the presence of a stabiliser (gelatin/PVP-10) reduces its activity to 25% and in the absence of stabiliser to only 4%. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.