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A novel acid-stable, acid-active β-galactosidase potentially suited to the alleviation of lactose intolerance

  • Biotechnologically Relevant Enzymes and Proteins
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Abstract

Extracellular β-galactosidase produced by a strain of Aspergillus niger van Tiegh was purified to homogeneity using a combination of gel filtration, ion-exchange, chromatofocusing, and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies. The enzyme displayed a temperature optimum of 65 °C and a low pH optimum of between 2.0 and 4.0. The monomeric glycosylated enzyme displayed a molecular mass of 129 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.7. Protein database similarity searching using mass spectrometry-derived sequence data indicate that the enzyme shares homology with a previously sequenced A. niger β-galactosidase. Unlike currently commercialised products, the enzyme displayed a high level of stability when exposed to simulated gastric conditions in vitro, retaining 68 ± 2% of original activity levels. This acid-stable, acid-active β-galactosidase was formulated, along with a neutral β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus DSM5418, in a novel two-segment capsule system designed to ensure delivery of enzymes of appropriate physicochemical properties to both stomach and small intestine. When subjected to simulated full digestive tract conditions, the twin lactase-containing capsule hydrolyzed, per unit activity, some 3.5-fold more lactose than did the commercial supplemental enzyme. The acid-stable, acid-active enzyme, along with the novel two-segment delivery system, may prove beneficial in the more effective treatment of lactose intolerance.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded in part by Enterprise Ireland under the Irish National Development Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, IT Tralee, Tralee, Co.Kerry, Ireland

    Shane O’Connell

  2. Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, and Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Gary Walsh

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  1. Shane O’Connell
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  2. Gary Walsh
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Correspondence to Gary Walsh.

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O’Connell, S., Walsh, G. A novel acid-stable, acid-active β-galactosidase potentially suited to the alleviation of lactose intolerance. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 86, 517–524 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2270-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2270-7

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