Study of inulase from Debaryomyces phaffii Capriotti.

Debaryomyces phaffii possesses an inulinase activity which can be induced by growth on beta-fructosidase and particularly on inulin. The enzyme is located in the cell wall but is easily excreted into the culture medium. Maximum activity on inulin is observed at pH 4 and 50 degrees C. The Km on inulin is 1.2 X 10(-2) M. The enzyme breaks down inulin by splitting off terminal fructosyl units and it is active on sucrose and raffinose.