MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION OF PECTIC SUBSTANCES II. The role of yeasts in the process with particular reference to a polygalacturonase producing Cryptococcus laurentii

Abstract

A survey of the ability of yeasts to decompose pectic substances has revealed the presence of an exocellular polygalacturonase active at pH 4.5 in a marine strain of Cryptococcus laurentii, a strain of Cryptococcus albidus. a culture of Pulluaria pullulans, and two unidentified yeast cultures. The capacity to decompose pectin has also been shown in four strains of Cryptococcus diffluens, three of saccharomyces kluyveri. one each of Cryptococcuslaurentii (terrestrial), Pullularia SD.Saccharomyces bayanus, Saccharomyces carfbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (mutant strain),S accharomyces marxianus Sarcharomyces tuebidans and several unidentified cultures, but the presence of the requisite enzyme(si among these remains to be demonstrated. The nature of the Cr. Iaurentii (marine) polygalacturonase (whether constitutive or inducible) and some factors affecting its production have been considered.