Stable β-glucosidase from Aureobasidium

A crude extract from Aureobasidium had β-glucosidase activity, hydrolysing cello-biose, methyl-β-D-glucoside, lactose, carboxymethylcellulose, avicel, o -nitrophenyl-β-D-glucoside and p -nitrophenyl-β-D-glucoside, and had favourable properties such as high pH and thermal stabilities. The optimum pH and temperature of the cello-biase activity were 4 and 80°C, respectively. The cellobiase activity was stable at pH 3–7 to 7.8 for at least 3 h, and retained 34 and 78% of its original activity at pH 1.5 and 9, respectively. Cellobiase activity was stable at 80°C for 15 min, and retained 81% of its original activity at 85°C.