Screening of non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts for the production of beta-D-xylosidase activity

Fifty-four yeast strains belonging to the genera Candida, Dekkera, Hansenia spora, Metschnikowia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Schizosaccharomyces and Zygosacc haromyces, mainly isolated from grapes and wines, were screened for the pro duction of beta-D-xylosidase activity. beta-D-xylosidase activity was only detected in eight yeast strains belonging to the genera Hanseniaspora (H. o smophila and H. uvarum) and Pichia (P. anomala). beta-D-xylosidase preparat ions active against rho-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside were characterised with respect to their optimal pH and temperature conditions. H. uvarum 11105 an d 11107 and P, anomala 10320 beta-D-xylosidase preparations were active at pH and temperature ranges and at concentrations of glucose and ethanol usua lly found during winemaking processes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.