\\Tool roots preparod b~' the wax shoet, toelmiquo contain pyrophosphatase, phosphatase, awl metaphosplmtaso. Of those the pyrophosphatase is t,ho most act,iv().n appears to carry an essential --SH group, is activated by jUg++ ions, shows optimum activity at about pH (Hl. The phosphatase is not adivated by metals nor inactivated by chelMing agents or -SH inhibitoJ�s.!ts optimum pH is !lot sharp but appears to be in the range 5-�7. The metaphosplmtase is activated by :\lg" and has an optimlllYl pH of" about 7.