Production of β-Fructofuranosidase from Sporotrichum thermophile and Its Application in the Synthesis of Fructooligosaccharides

Abstract

Production of β-fructofuranosidase from the thermophilic fungus Sporotrichum thermophile was studied. The effect of nitrogen source, as well as the type and concentration of carbon source on enzyme production was examined. The results from flask experiments were used for the production of the enzyme in 7-l bioreactors. β-Fructofuranosidase from Sporotrichum thermophile showed both transfructosylating and hydrolytic activities. It was optimally active at 60°C, while the optimal pHs for hydrolysis and transfructosylation were 4.0 and 6.0, respectively. Synthesis of fructooligosaccharides was maximized at 20% (w/v) initial sucrose concentration. The major sugar produced by the transfructosylating activity of the enzyme was 6-kestose.