Where can beta-galactosidases be found?

B-Galactosidase is found in bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and recombinant sources. In plants, it is primarily found in peaches, almonds, apricots, and apples. Bacterial-derived B-galactosidase is utilized for lactose hydrolysis in various applications due to its advantages including their high enzymatic activity, stability, and convenient fermentation processes. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species are commonly used probiotics that are sources of B-galactosidase. The yeast Kluyveromyces lactis is a commercially available source of B-galactosidase. The isolation of B-galactosidase from this yeast is significant since it can be used in the production of lactose-free dairy and milk products. Fungal B-galactosidases such as Kluyveromyces lactis and Kluyveromyces fragilis, and various Aspergillus species are effective in hydrolyzing lactose found in acidic substances such as whey. These fungal sources of B-galactosidase are deemed “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA. B-galactosidase can also be produced through recombinant DNA technology to make large-scale quantities of the enzyme for use in hydrolyzed-milk products.