Biochemical changes in fermented melon (egusi) seeds (Citrullis vulgaris)

Abstract

An enzyme complex capable of lysing yeast cells was produced byArthrobacter sp. in a medium containing live cells ofKluyveromyces fragilis as the sole source of nutrients. The enzyme complex caused a 90% reduction in the optical density of viable yeast cells in 6 h at 25°C. This yeast cell hydrolysate can be used as a source of nitrogen, vitamins and minerals for subsequent growth of yeast cells (8.3 mg/ml) and further production of inulase (167 U/ml) representing 88 and 87% yield respectively, compared to cells grown on a standard yeast extract (1%) and sucrose (2%) medium.