Electroinduced extraction of beta-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis

A new methodology for the extraction of beta-galactosidase from the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis was obtained by electropulsation. The application of a series of electric pulses (2 ms duration, 1 Hz frequency, and 4-4.5 kV/cm field strength) to fresh cells suspended in deionized water, followed by incubation in PBS, led to a spontaneous slow release of enzyme at a yield of 75-80% without any further treatment. Most of the enzyme was extracted within 8 h after electropulsation. This release was dependent on the growth phase. The specific activity of beta-galactosidase in the supernatant of pulsed cells was higher by a factor of 1.5-1.7 in comparison with crude extract.