Permeabilization of yeast cells (Kluyveromyces fragilis) to lactose by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Abstract

Whole cells of lactose fermentingKluyveromyces fragilis had very low β-galactosidase activity. Treating the yeast cells with a cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (0.1%) at 4°C for 5 mins increased the enzyme activity 480 fold. Detergent treated cells readily hydrolysed lactose present in milk and sweet whey and glucose produced was not further metabolized. These detergent permeabilized cells could be used to produce low lactose milk, in the utilization of whey and saccharification of lactose or whey for the production of alcohol.