Identification, purification and characterization of a novel glycosidase (BgLm1) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides

This study describes the identification and characterization of a novel recombinant Leuconostoc mesenteroides glycosidase (BgLm1). Since the protein encoded by LEUM_0847 gene was annotated as putative β-glucosidase, characterization procedures were done using p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside as substrate. A high yield of purified recombinant BgLm1 was obtained (12 mg/L). The enzyme showed an optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 40 °C and preserved 65% of residual activity after 48 h of incubation at 25 °C. Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions greatly increased the β-glucosidase activity. Moreover, BgLm1 demonstrated β-galactosidase and β-fucosidase activities. Kinetic parameters of BgLm1 revealed its low affinity to p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (Km of 9.93 mmol/L).