Difructose anhydride-forming bacterial inulinase II and fructogenic fungal inulinase I : Free and immobilized forms

The reserve polymeric inulin from dahlia tuber (>12% or >60% yield, wet or dry basis, respectively) follows as an attractive source for both free fructose or difructofuranose anhydride (DFA III). Although DFA biological activity is not completely understood, there is interest in characterizing other DFA III-producers besides Arthrobacter ureafaciens. The inulinolytic bacterial isolate named YLW, owing to the yellow hue in agar slants, is such a producer. Its biochemical characterization showed the presence of galactosylated and mannosylated glycolipids associated with the bacterial cells. Immobilization of fungal inulinase I and bacterial inulinase II, the respective enzymatic catalysts for the production of fructose and DFA III by inulin hydrolysis, was attempted using controlled-pore silica (CPS). The effects of pH, temperature, and incubation time was analyzed and compared for both enzymes in the free and immobilized forms.