Purification and Characterization of Guar Galactomannan Degrading -Galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae DR-5

$\alpha$-Galactosidase from A. oryzae DR-5 was induced in the presence of melibiose, raffinose, galactose, and locust bean galactomannan. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by precipitation with acetone followed by ion-exchange chromatography using DEAE-Sephacel. The purified enzyme showed a single band in both nondenaturing-PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was a glycoprotein in nature by activity staining. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 93-95 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme exhibited the optimum pH and temperature at 4.7 and $60^\circ{C}$, respectively. $\alpha$-Galactosidase activity was strongly inhibited by $Ag^{2+}, Hg^{2+}, Cu^{2+}$, and galactose. EDTA, 1,10-phenanthraline, and PMSF did not inhibit the enzyme activity, whereas N-bromosuccinimide completely inhibited enzyme activity. Investigation by TLC showed complete hydrolysis of stachyose and raffinose in soymilk in 3 h at pH 5.0 and $50^\circ{C}$.