Abstract: Apoplastic β-1, 3-glucanase was purified from leaves of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ) which were systematically infected by TMV (tobacco mosaic virus). The enzyme obtained through -20℃ acetone precipitation, CM-Sephadex C-25 ion exchange chromatography, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 ion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, showed homogeneity in PAGE, and SDS-PAGE which had two isoenzymes of 27 kD and 36 kD. The enzyme hydrolysed laminarin at an optimum pH of 4.8--5.2 and was stable between pH 4--8 and at an optimum temperature between 30--40℃, and stable at 40℃ after 1 hour of incubation, It had a Km of 9. 2 mg/mL. SDS-PAGE profiles of the proteins in the tomato leaf intercellular fluid had the bands of 22 kD, 27 kD and 36 kD that were β-1, 3-glucanases.

Key words: Tomato, Tobacco mosaic virus, β-1, 3-glucanase