2-Nitrophenyl b-D-cellobioside heptaacetate

2-Nitrophenyl b-D-cellobioside heptaacetate is a chromogenic enzyme substrate used to assay for cellobiohydrolase activity. The substrate undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis, releasing 2-nitrophenol which can then be detected via absorbance at 400 nm. This type of substrate is also used for the analysis of cellulose and hemicelluloses in plant materials. The heptaacetate modification enhances solubility, making it ideal for use in organic solvents, and it also protects against unwanted hydrolysis by acid or alkali. The substrate can be used in a variety of applications, including enzyme assay development, screening for inhibitors or activators, and in the study of the mode of action and substrate specificity of cellulase enzymes.