APPLICATION OF THE MICROTITER READER SYST EM FOR SCREENING OF BETA-D-GALACTOSIDASE PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS

Eight strains of yeasts of the genus Kluyveromyces were investigated f or beta-D-galactosidase (lactase) production. In the first step, the M icrotiter Reader System-SLT was used to follow cell growth and enzyme activity. Different culture conditions were tested and three strains w ere selected: K. marxianus CBS 712, K. marxianus CBS 6556 and K. lacti s DSM 4394. These were assayed using a larger culture volume and the s tability of their enzymes was studied in terms of time, temperature an d pH. On these basis, K. marxianus CBS 712 was selected for beta-D-gal actosidase production and the Microtiter Reader System showed to be a rapid, efficient, and economic method for microorganism selection.