Direct detection of beta-1,3-glucanase in plant extracts by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

By using carboxymethyl (CM)-curdlan, a polysaccharide linked with the dye Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB) as a substrate in polyacrylamide gels, the beta-1,3-glucanase in plant extracts can be detected directly by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In contrast to the usually used procedures for the detection of glucanases, e.g., colorimetric assay, overlay technique, enzyme activity staining using laminarin as a substrate, this method is rapid and allows both the determination of the activity and the location of the relative position of the multiple forms of beta-1,3-glucanases.