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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Growth-based Determination and Biochemical Confirmation of Genetic Requirements for Protein Degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: February 16, 2015
Optimization of a rapid method for studying the cellular location of beta-glucosidase activity in wine yeasts
M Arévalo Villena1, J F Ubeda Iranzo, R R Cordero Otero
1Tecnología de Alimentos, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain.
Aims:
To improve a method for determining beta-glucosidase activity and to apply it in yeasts isolated from wine ecosystems from "La Mancha" region and to know its cellular location.
Methods And Results:
A total of 82 wine yeasts were identified (PCR/RFLP) and evaluated for their beta-glucosidase activity. First, they were qualitatively evaluated by growth on YNB cellobiose, the activity was quantified using different culture media, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and cells after 24-72 h of growth. To study the location activity, five fractions were obtained (supernatant, whole cell, cell wall, cytosol and cell membrane). The enzymatic assays were optimized, being: growth in YP cellobiose for 72 h in aeration conditions and, after cell removing, enzyme analysis with 128 g l(-1) of cellobiose as substrate, for 30 min at 30 degrees C. The genus that displayed the greatest activity were Pichia, Hanseniaspora and Rhodotorula, and the activity was intracellular.
Conclusions:
The study showed that beta-glucosidase activity was induced by the carbon source and was aerobic dependent. The non-Saccharomyces species displayed the greatest activity, which was intracellular and strain-dependent.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
This study developed a reliable method for screening beta-glucosidase activity in yeasts isolated from wine ecosystems. This activity is very important in the release of monoterpenols from glycoside precursors for the enhancement of wine aromas.

