A PULLULAN-DEGRADING ENZYME-ACTIVITY OF AUREOBASIDIUM-PULLULANS

A pullulan-degrading enzyme activity was detected in the culture mediu m after growth of the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans on corn syrup as a carbon source. The product of pullulan catabolism by this activity w as determined to be glucose. The highest specific activity of this enz yme was found after 7 days of fungal growth. Although a-amylase activi ty was not detectable, the presence of a glucoamylase activity was ind icated. It appeared that the enzyme responsible for pullulan degradati on was likely glucoamylase B.