Kinetics of acid phosphatase in calcium chloride extractable soil organic matter

The aim of this work was to compare the kinetic parameters of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2.) extracted from two forest soils under oak or pine. Soil was extracted with 4 mM CaCl₂ and the extract was divided into two fractions by filtration: one >0.2 μm containing microbial cells and soil particulates, and the other <0.2 μm containing fine particles and dissolved organic compounds of soil. The >0.2 μm fraction had higher K_m (0.26–0.82 vs. 0.12–0.39) and V_max (0.07–0.79 vs. 0.06–0.16) values than the <0.2 μm fraction, indicating a higher enzyme-substrate affinity and smaller amount of enzyme in fine particles and dissolved organic matter.