The specific activity of a recombinant beta-glucosidase from Sulfolobus solfataricus for isoflavones was: daidzin > glycitin > genistin > malonyl genistin > malonyl daidzin > malonyl glycitin. The hydrolytic activity of this enzyme for daidzin was highest at pH 5.5 and 90A degrees C with a half-life of 18 h, a K (m) of 0.5 mM, and a k (cat) of 2532 s(-1). The enzyme converted 1 mM daidzin to 1 mM daidzein after 1 h with a molar yield of 100% and a productivity of 1 mM h(-1). Among beta-glucosidases, that from S. solfataricus beta had the highest thermostability, k (cat), k (cat)/K (m), conversion yield, and productivity in the hydrolysis of daidzin.