The Use of -Glucosides in Classifying Yeasts

Summary: The β-glucosidase activity of 119 strains of yeast was studied with aesculin, arbutin, salicin or cellobiose as substrates. A medium which was sufficient for good growth was in many cases not sufficient to allow the development of β-glucosidase activity. A yeast capable of splitting one β-glucoside did not necessarily hydrolyse another. It is suggested that yeasts may contain different β-glucosidases. There is evidence that, grown under suitable conditions, most yeasts are capable of hydrolysing aesculin.