Partial Purification and Properties of a Trehalase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus

Abstract

The enzyme α,α′-glucoside 1-glucohydrolase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of trehalose, was isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and was purified approximately 80-fold. The enzyme was completely specific for trehalose as substrate. None of the other naturally occurring glucose disaccharides exhibited any significant activity. The p H optimum for enzymatic activity was found to be 6.5 and the K m was estimated to be approximately 1.8 × 10 −2 m . The product of the reaction was identified as d -glucose by chemical, chromatographic, and enzymatic methods. The presence of this enzyme was demonstrated in several species of Streptomyces and related organisms.