Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel β-glucosidase with high hydrolyzing ability for soybean isoflavone glycosides and glucose-tolerance from soil metagenomic library

► A novel β-glucosidase (Bgl1269) was obtained from a soil metagenomic library. ► Bgl1269 had high hydrolyzing ability for soybean isoflavone glycosides. ► Bgl1269 exhibited a very high glucose-tolerance (Ki = 4.28 M). ► Bgl1269 is a good candidate in the production of soybean isoflavone aglycones.