Hydrolysis of Jerusalem artichoke polyfructans by kluveromyces fragilis ATCC 5391 extracellular inulinase.

The yeast Kluyveromyces fragilis ATCC 5391 was tested for the production of the extracellular inulinase [fructan fructanohydrolase [E.C.3.2.1.7]] in batch system. Maximum enzyme production was achieved after 48h of growth at 30° in medium contained 2% inulin and 0.25% yeast extract at pH 5.0. Presence of acetate buffer [0.05M, pH 4-5] in the reaction mixture maximized inulinase activity. The enzyme [2.4 units/mL] successluly hydrolysed Jerusalem artichoke tubers extract [90%hydrolysis] and pure inulin [69% hydrolysis] in 5 h, each