PRODUCTION OF BETA-MANNANASE AND BETA-MANNOSIDASE BY ENTEROCOCCUS-CASSELIFLAVUS FL2121 ISOLATED FROM DECAYED KONJAC

Optimal culture conditions for the production of β-mannanase and β-mannosidase were investigated in Enterococcus casseliflavus FL2121 isolated from decayed Konjac. The bacterium secreted β-mannanase to the culture medium and produced a cell-associated β-mannosidase. Synthesis of these enzymes was induced by mannan and mannooligosaccharides, respectively, under alkaline conditions. β-Mannanase activity in the medium increased gradually during 24 h and was constant for up to 72 h, while β-mannosidase activity was the highest in the cells cultured for 8 h. Neither treatment by ultrasonic oscillation nor detergents solubilized β-mannosidase from the cells without loss of enzyme activity. Optimum pH and temperature for crude β-mannosidase were 6.0 to 7.4 and 50°C. © 1993 Academic Press Limited.