beta-GLUCOSIDASE is a glucosidase enzyme which acts upon beta1->4 bonds linking two glucose or glucose-substituted molecules (i.e., the disaccharide cellobiose). beta-Glucosidases are required by organisms (some fungi, bacteria, termites) for consumption of cellulose. Lysozyme is also a beta-glucosidase and is present in tears to prevent bacterial infection of the eye. In humans, lower activity of a beta-glucosidase isoform (lysosomal gluco-cerebrosidase) has been related to Gaucher's disease and Parkinson's disease. Simple, direct and automation-ready procedures for measuring beta-glucosidase activity are becoming popular in Research and Drug Discovery. BioAssay Systems' QuantiChrom beta-Glucosidase Assay Kit is designed to measure beta-glucosidase activity directly in biological samples without pretreatment. The improved method utilizes p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside that is hydrolyzed specifically by beta-glucosidase into a yellow colored product (maximal absorbance at 405nm). The rate of the reaction is directly proportional to the enzyme activity. This product is for Research Use only and is not intended for diagnostic purposes.