Penicillium purpurogenum produces a novel, acidic, GH3 beta-xylosidase: Heterologous expression and characterization of the enzyme.

Xylan, a component of plant cell walls, is composed of a backbone of β-1,4-linked xylopyranosyl units with a number of substituents. The complete degradation of xylan requires the action of several enzymes, among them β-xylosidase. The fungus Penicillium purpurogenum secretes a number of enzymes participating in the degradation of xylan.

Biochemical and structural characterization of Penicillium purpurogenum α-D galactosidase: Binding of galactose to an alternative pocket may explain enzyme inhibition.

The fungus Penicillium purpurogenum degrades plant cell walls by the action of cellulolytic, xylanolytic and pectinolytic enzymes. The α-D-galactosidase is one of the enzymes which may act on pectin degradation. This enzyme has several biotechnological and medical applications.

Cultivable psychrotolerant yeasts associated with Antarctic marine sponges.

Unlike filamentous fungi and bacteria, very little is known about cultivable yeasts associated with marine sponges, especially those from Antarctic seas. During an expedition to King George Island, in the Antarctica, samples of 11 marine sponges were collected by scuba-diving. From these sponges, 20 psychrotolerant yeast isolates were obtained.