Production and properties of galactosidases from Corticium rolfsii.

When Corticum rolfsii was grown in a medium containing bran extract under aerobic conditions, it secreted alpha-D-galactosidase and beta-D-galactosidase into the culture fluid. Pectin also stimulated the production of these enzymes, whereas galactose, glucose, and sucrose stimulated their production to a lesser degree. C. rolfsii produced greater amounts of both enzymes than Aspergillus niger. Both galactosidases in the culture medium hydrolyzed alpha- and beta-p-nitrophenyl-D-galactosides as well as lactose, stachyose, melibiose, and raffinose. Both exhibited optimal activity at pH 2 to 4 and were quite stable under acidic conditions. alpha-Galactosidase was separated from beta-galactosidase by column chromatography.