Purification and characterization of ginsenoside-beta-glucosidase from ginseng

The ginsenoside-beta -glucosidase that hydrolyzes the beta-(1-->2)-glucosid e of the ginsenoside Rg3 sugar moiety to ginsenoside Rh2 was isolated from the ginseng root, and the enzyme was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified to one spot in SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it s molecular weight was about 59 kDa, The optimum temperature of the ginseno side-beta -glucosidase was 60 degreesC, and the optimum pH was 5.0, Ca2+ io n had positive effect on ginsenoside-beta -glucosidase, while Cu2+ had nega tive effect on it. The ginsenoside-beta -glucosidase may be a special beta -glucosidase that is different from the original exocellulase such as beta -glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21).