| abstract |
The present invention provides polyphenol oxidases from bacteria, particularly from the genus Bacillus including, without limitation, B. licheniformis, B. natto, and B. sphaericus, In some embodiments, the polyphenol oxidase has an optimum reaction pH of about 7; an optimum reaction temperature between 60° C. and 80° C.; and a molecular weight of 51,000 measured by gel filtration chromatography. The enzymes of the invention are useful for oxidizing and/or bleaching a variety of substrates. |