Review

Selected soil enzymes: Examples of their potential roles in the ecosystem

Joachim H. J. R. Makoi¹ and Patrick A. Ndakidemi*²

¹Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town Campus, Keizergracht, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

²Research and Technology Promotion, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town Campus, Keizergracht, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: NdakidemiP@cput.ac.za. Tel: +27214603128. Fax: +27214603887.

Accepted 30 January, 2008

Soil enzymes regulate ecosystem functioning and in particular play a key role in nutrient cycling. In this review we briefly summarise potential roles of selected enzymes such as amylase, arylsulphatases, β-glucosidase, cellulose, chitinase, dehydrogenase, phosphatase, protease and urease in the ecosystem. We also highlight areas where further research is needed to increase our understanding of other possible role(s) of enzymes and factors that may affect their activities in the ecosystem.

Key words: amylase, arylsulphatases, β-glucosidase, cellulose, chitinase, dehydrogenase, phosphatase, protease and urease.