The use of methyl beta-D-xyloside as a substrate for xylanase production by Aspergillus tamarii

Aspergillus tamarii was able to produce biomass in media containing beta-methyl D-xyloside, a synthetic analogue of xylobiose, as the only carbon source. beta-Methyl D-xyloside was a more effective inducer than xylan at the same concentration for xylanase and beta-xylosidase activities. The delayed consumption of beta-methyl D-xyloside by A. tamarii cells suggests the requirement of a specific inducible transport system and a slow metabolic process. The synthesis of this transport system was probably repressed by the presence of easily metabolizable sugars. beta-Methyl D-xyloside was hydrolyzed to xylose by an intracellular beta-xylosidase.