DETECTION OF POLYGALACTURONASE, PECTIN-LYASE AND PECTIN-ESTERASE ACTIVITIES IN A SACCHAROMYCES-CEREVISIAE STRAIN

The catalytic capacity of several excreted pectinolytic enzymes obtain ed from various yeast strains was examined using in vivo and biochemic al techniques. Of the 33 yeast strains studied, 30 were isolated from champagne wine during alcoholic fermentation. Only one yeast strain wa s found to excrete pectinolytic enzymes and was identified as Saccharo myces cerevisisae and designated SCPP. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresi s and the polymerase chain reaction technique were used to characteriz e further this specific strain. Three types of pectinolytic enzymes we re found to be excreted by SCPP: polygalacturonase, pectin-lyase and p ectin-esterase. These enzymes allow pectin hydrolysis during cell grow th.