Purification and characterization of ß-glucosidase from prunus armeniaca seeds

In this study, we aimed to purify ß-glucosidase from Prunus armeniaca (apricot) seeds which are abundant in Malatya (Turkey) and its surroundings and have not been used as ß-glucosidase source up to now as well as, to determine kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax), thermal and storage stabilities of the purified ß-glucosidase. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated as 107 kDa and the enzyme was consist of five identical subnits with the molecular weight of 23 kDa each. The optimal pH value of ß-glucosidase was 5.0 and its optimal temperature was 45°C. ß-Glucosidase preparations showed better thermal and storage stabilities at 5°C than those of other temperatures (25 and 50°C). Km and Vmax values were 1.95 mM and 77.5 U/mg prot., respectively towards p-nitrophenyl-ß-D-glucopyronoside.