Α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase from psychrotrophic strain Arthrobacter sp. C2-2

In this work six psychophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial strains were screened for the presence of different glycosidase activities (α-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, α-mannosidase and β-glucuronidase). Nine enzymes were found and their elementary characteristics were measured (t o p t i m u m , pH o p t i m u m , K m , V l i m ). Two enzymes with the highest activities at low temperatures were chosen for the next study, i.e. α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase from the psychrotrophic strain Arthrobacter sp. C2-2. These enzymes were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, by chromatography with hydrophobic interaction, and by ion-exchange chromatography. Their molecular weights (a-glucosidase - 76 kDa, β-glucosidase - 93 kDa) were determined by gel chromatography. In addition to this, it was verified that both of these enzymes are able to catalyse the transglycosylation reaction with the saccharidic donor and acceptor.