Recycling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells containing high invertase activity

Cold acetone treatment of commercial Saccharomyces cerivisiae resulted in a product called Yeast Dehidrated Cells (YDC) wich contained high invertase activity. The enzyme remained bound to yeast cells and showed maximum activity at pH 4,6 and 55 degrees C. Stability during storage at room temperature (+/-25 degrees C) or in freezer (-18 degrees C) by 11 months was above 95%. Half-life under optimal temperature and pH conditions was estimated as being 45h. Addition of YDC (500mg/L) to a solution of sucrose (20%) resulted in 100% sugar hydrolysis, after two hours reaction at 55 degrees C. In a concentration of 1000mg/L, it was possible to recycle YDC for 12 times, with 100% hydrolysis of 20% w/v sucrose, what indicates the potential of reutilization of the enzyme in industrial scale.