Production and Properties of Galactosidases from Corticium rolfsii

Abstract

When Corticum rolfsii was grown in a medium containing bran extract under aerobic conditions, it secreted α-D-galactosidase and β-D-galactosidase into the culture fluid. Pectin also stimulated the production of these enzymes, whereas galactose, glucose, and sucrose stimulated their production to a lesser degree. C. rolfsii produced greater amounts of both enzymes than Aspergillus niger . Both galactosidases in the culture medium hydrolyzed α- and β- p -nitrophenyl-D-galactosides as well as lactose, stachyose, melibiose, and raffinose. Both exhibited optimal activity at p H 2 to 4 and were quite stable under acidic conditions. α-Galactosidase was separated from β-galactosidase by column chromatography.