The methods used for invertase activity determination are based on the
measurement of glucose or reducing sugars produced by the enzymatic h
ydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose. When whole yeast cells
are used in these assays, the monosaccharides formed by the action of
the periplasmic enzyme can be taken up and metabolized, leading to er
rors on the enzyme activity determination, This study reports a method
for a more accurate invertase activity measurement by blacking the gl
ycolytic pathway. In this method the cells were preincubated with 50 m
M sodium fluoride, and inhibitor of enolase. This in vivo measurement
of the enzyme activity, under initial rate conditions, was performed u
sing cell concentrations up to 64 mg cell/ml. The results obtained sho
wed that this method is particularly useful for cells with low inverta
se activity. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.