Abstract
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are polymers having fructose units with β-glycosidic linkages and a terminal sucrose residue at the reducing end of the oligosaccharides. Due to their non-digestible property, FOS function as prebiotics. In addition, FOS exhibit several therapeutic properties including anti-proliferative, immunomodulatory, and anti-diabetic activities. Inulin is a non-structural polysaccharide abundantly available in various plants. In view of the increasing demand for FOS with prebiotic properties, a renewed interest has engendered researchers to discover microbes producing inulinase and develop bioprocesses based on enzymatic bioconversion of raw inulin for generation of FOS and high-fructose syrup (HFS). This chapter provides an overview of some aspects of microbial inulinase production through fermentation, enzyme immobilization, and purification of FOS. Various fermentation processes for the production of inulinase from different fungal strains are reviewed along with the main substrates and conditions favoring microbial inulinases including physico-chemical parameters. The functional properties and applications of fructooligosaccharides in various systems are also delineated.
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