The enzyme is involved in degradation of the steroid saponin dioscin by some fungi of the Absidia genus. The enzyme can also hydrolyse 3-O-[alpha-L-Ara-(1->4)-[alpha-L-Rha-(1->2)]-beta-D-Glc]diosgenin into diosgenin and free sugars as the final products. cf. EC 3.2.1.190, dioscin glycosidase (3-O-beta-D-Glc-diosgenin-forming).