Production of inulinase by mixed culture of Aspergillus niger and Kluyveromyces marxianus

Inulinase activity produced by a mixed culture of Aspergillus niger and Kluyveromyces marxianus growing on Jerusalem artichoke powder was investigated. Inulinase produced by this mixed culture had a higher invertase-type activity than inulinase from respective monocultures. When hydrolysis was carried out at 50°C with Jerusalem artichoke exctract (total sugar 16% w/v) at pH 5.0, 90% hydrolysis was achieved after 4 h with 5% v/v of crude cell free enzyme preparation

Production and properties of inulinase from Aspergillus niger

A thermostable inulinase was identified in a strain of A. niger. The highest activity was observed at 50 °C (50 Lml-1) and 77% and 34% of this was retained at 60° and 65°C, respectively. pH stability, the effect of thermal stabilizers such as Propylene glycol (10%) and Sorbitol (10%) and effects of different cations were investigated. It was found that the activity was completely inhibited by Ag+ and Hg2+, while Na+ had an activator effect. © 1994 Lonsdale Press Ltd