A rapid procedure for the preparation of highly purified pyruvate decarboxylase from brewer's yeast

A rapid purification procedure for pyruvate decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.1.) from fresh cells of brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces carlsb.) is reported. The preparation of a crude enzyme (30-45 U/mg) by the use of fractionation steps with protamine sulfate, acetone, and ammonium sulfate takes about 6-7 h. A stable pyruvate decarboxylase (70-85 U/mg) was obtained from such preparations after purification on CM Sephadex C 50 after another 2-3 h. Stability and structural properties are compared for enzymes prepared from fresh and dried yeast.