Properties of α-Hydroxynitrile Lyase from the Petiole of Cassava (Manihot esculentaCrantz)

α-Hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL, acetone-cyanohydrin lyase, EC 4.1.2.37) was purified to homogeneity from petioles of cassava (Manihot esculentaCrantz). The purified HNL is a homotetramer with a subunit molecular weight of 25,600 and an isoelectric point of 4.7. The HNL activity exhibits a pH optimum of 5.0 and is stable in the pH range of 6 to 11. The petiole HNL shows a simple Michaelis–Menten kinetics withKmfor acetone cyanohydrin of 4.0 ± 0.9 mMandVmaxof 46.2 ± 5.0 μmol/min/mg. Several alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones inhibit the HNL activity. The alcohols and ketones are competitive inhibitors, whereas the aldehydes are noncompetitive inhibitors. On the basis ofKivalues, inhibitors with 4 carbons are more potent than those with the same functional groups but having fewer or more than 4 carbons.