Characterization of beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase of alkalotolerant intestinal bacteria

The number of alkalotolerant intestinal bacteria was 1% of the total flora in humans and 0.8% of those in rats. The beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase activity of these intestinal bacteria was induced by elevating the pH of the medium, but the growth was not changed. The enzyme activity in a medium of pH 7 was 5- to 10-fold higher than that in a medium of pH 6. Isolated bacteria from human and rat feces were cultured in a pH 5 general anaerobic medium (GAM) broth to reach a stationary phase, then the pH of the media was changed from 5 to 8. Both beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase were increased 9.2-12.1-fold. The activity of these enzymes was also increased 2-16-fold by adding substrates (p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuropyranoside or p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuronide). beta-Glucuronidase(s) was inhibited by saccharic acid 1,4-lactone or D-glucuronic acid. However, when lactulose was added to the medium, and then intestinal microflora were inoculated in the medium, the productivity of these enzymes dramatically decreased. We thus contend that the induction of the beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase of intestinal bacteria by a high pH can cause colorectal cancer.