Expression in a wine yeast strain of the Aspergillus niger abfB gene.

A recombinant wine yeast strain has been constructed expressing the gene coding for alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase B from Aspergillus niger under the control of the yeast actin gene promoter. The protein is efficiently secreted by the recombinant yeast, allowing its purification and characterisation. The heterologous alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase B shows similar physico-chemical properties to the native enzyme. The wine produced in microvinification experiments using the recombinant yeast presents the same oenological characteristics as obtained with the untransformed strain. The alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase B protein is detected throughout the fermentation.