Immobilization of Pectinex Ultra SP-L to produce fructooligosaccharides

Pectinex Ultra SP-L, a commercial enzyme preparation containing fructosyltransferase activity, was immobilized covalently onto Eupergit C and was used for the production of fructooligosaccharides. Immobilization resulted in 96% relative activity. The immobilized enzyme showed no decrease in activity for 20 batch reactions. Optimum conditions were not affected by immobilization, and the optimum pH and temperature for free and immobilized enzyme were 5.5-6.5 and 65 °C, respectively. Immobilized enzyme was more stable at high pH and temperatures. The amount of fructooligosaccharides produced from 60% (w/v) sucrose solution using the free and immobilized enzyme was determined to be approximately 57% of the total sugar in the reaction mixtures. The kinetic parameters for free and immobilized enzyme were also determined. The immobilized Pectinex Ultra SP-L could be used for the production of fructooligosaccharides since the immobilization efficiency is quite high (96%) and immobilized enzyme retains its activity for 20 days without any decrease.