Production and properties ofβ-glucosidase byNeurospora sitophila.

Growth at 25°C and pH 5.50 favour the production ofβ-glucosidase. De-fatted oilseed flour and Tween 80 enhanced the production ofβ-glucosidase, Lactose, gentibiose, gentibiose-acetate, laminarabiose and xylobiose inducedβ-glucosidase activity. Precipitation of the culture filtrate with (NH4)2SO4 resulted in 26-fold purification with 67% recovery. The optimum pH and temperature for activity were 5.0 to 5.4 and 55°C respectively. The enzyme was stable at 40°C with half-life at 12 h at 50°C. TheK m andV max for the hydrolysis ofp-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucoside at 40°C H 5.0 are 0.28MM and 0.60 U/mg protein, respectively.