Esterolytic Activities of Pediococcus Species

Six different strains of Pediococcus pentosaceus and two of Pediococcus acidilactici were examined for intracellular esterolytic enzyme activity. All strains of Pediococcuspentosaceus possessed esterase activity, which was highest in Pediococcus pentosaceus NCDO 559 with ~-naphthyl acetate as substrate. However, no esterolytic activity was found in either strain of Pediococcus acidilactici tested. Esterolytic enzymes in crude cell-free extracts were separated using PAGE and identified by histochemical staining. Substrate specificity toward various a-and /3naphthyl esters of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids was determined. All strains of Pediococcus pentosaceus exhibited active band(s) of esterase on gels and were most active toward anaphthyl acetate. No active esterase band was detected in either strain of Pediococcus acidilactici.