Enzymatic Characterization of Soluble Organic Phosphorus in Lake Water

Although the concentration of soluble organic phosphorus in lake water often exceeds that of orthophosphate severalfold, little is known of its composition. By using enzyme assays it was determined that up to 50 percent of the organic fraction is hydrolyzable by phytase. The enzymatically degradable material consists of both low and high molecular weight fractions.