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Isolation and characterization of psychrophiles producing cold‐active ‐galactosidase
Author(s) -
Nakagawa T.,
Fujimoto Y.,
Uchino M.,
Miyaji T.,
Takano K.,
Tomizuka N.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2003.01369.x
Subject(s) - psychrophile , lactose , biology , bacteria , beta galactosidase , isolation (microbiology) , biochemistry , food science , hydrolysis , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , escherichia coli , gene , genetics
Aims: The present study was conducted to screen for psychrophilic micro‐organisms that are able to hydrolyse lactose at low temperature, and to examine the cold‐active β ‐galactosidase produced by the isolated psychrophilic micro‐organisms. Methods and Results: Psychrophilic bacteria, which grow on lactose as a sole carbon source, were isolated from soil from Hokkaido, Japan. The phenotype and sequence of 16S rDNA of the isolated strains indicated a taxonomic affiliation to Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus . The isolated A. psychrolactophilus strains were able to grow on lactose at below 5°C, and showed cold‐active β ‐galactosidase activity, which was highly specific at even 0°C. Conclusions: Facts in this study may indicate the possibility that the isolated strains produce novel β ‐galactosidases that are able to hydrolyse lactose at low temperature, although some strains have isozymes. Significance and Impact of the Study: It may be possible that the cold active β ‐galactosidases from the isolated strains can be applied to the food industry, e.g. processing of milk and whey below 5°C.