Establishing the Optimum Conditions for Inulin Hydrolysis by Using Commercial Inulinase

In the present study, the central composite design was used to determine the effect of inulinase concentration, pH, temperature and time of hydrolysis of chicory inulin by using the inulinase produced by Novozymes. Concentration of enzyme of 0.10-1.00% (v/w), temperatures between 50 and 65°C, pH of 4.0-6.5 and hydrolysis time between 1 and 96 h were studied to establish the optimal conditions of the chicory inulin. Enzyme concentration and hydrolysis time were the most important variables which have positive effects on enzymatic hydrolysis. When enzyme concentrations over 0.35% and hydrolysis time over 68 h are used for inulin hydrolysis, high yields of enzymatic hydrolysis can be achieved. The maximum yield of enzymatic hydrolysis was 0.979 g of reducing sugars/g of substrate using the following conditions for inulin hydrolysis: enzyme concentration 0.55%, reaction temperature 65°C, pH 5.25 after 96 h of hydrolysis.