Malic enzyme (L-malate: NADP + oxidoreductase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.40, NADP-ME), which was found in chloroplasts, was isolated from tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L.) almost homogenous. The specific enzyme activity was 0.95 µmol min -1 mg -1 . The enzyme pH optimum was found between pH 7.1 and 7.4. Malic enzyme (L-malate: NAD(P) + oxidoreductase (decarboxylating)) catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation of L-malate using NAD + or NADP + as coenzymes in the presence of divalent metal ions to produce pyruvate, NAD(P)H and CO 2 1,2 . This is ascribed to three related forms of malic enzymes. The first, EC 1.1.1.38, which uses NAD + as a coenzyme and ca
