Silica gel stimulates the hydrolysis of lecithin by phospholipase A

Abstract

1. 1. Silica gel stimulates the hydrolysis of aqueous lecithin suspensions by phospholipase A. The activation is slightly greater than that caused by ether and takes place equally well in bulk suspensions of silica gel or on thin-layer Chromatographic plates prepared with silica.

2. 2. The hydrolyses of lecithin by phospholipase C and of triolein by lipase are not affected by silica under the reaction conditions employed.

3. 3. In light of these findings, it is advisable to employ an independent means of stopping phospholipase A reactions prior to product separation in chromatographic systems.