Authors : Prajakta. P. Kamble, Jyoti. P. Jadhav and Yasmin. C. Attar
Page Nos : 225-228
Description :
Tithonia roduntifolia is a noxious weed which threatens the environment and biodiversity due to its rapid invasion. This inulin rich weed was investigated for its potential in fructose production by subjecting it to bacterial and fungal inulinase. Inulinases catalyze the hydrolysis of inulin to D-fructose (fructose syrup), which has gained an important place in human diets today. In addition, inulinases are finding other newer applications.
The aim of this work was to compare and optimize the cultural and production parameters for the synthesis of Inulinase by novel bacterial and fungal isolates. The process parameters influencing: fructose formation, cell density and the enzyme production were studied. We emphasized on parameter like substrate concentration, incubation period, pH, temperature and salt concentrations. The optimum temperatures of bacterial and fungal inulinases were 30 and 40 ºC respectively. Fungal Inulinase was more thermostable and remained stable in acidic pH. Among the various substrate studied Tithonia spp. showed maximum inulinase yield. The incubation time for maximum fructose formation was estimated via TLC indicating the fast product formation with incomplete substrate degradation from bacterial inulinase, whereas fungal inulinase produced fructose after 96 hours but there was complete utilization of substrate. This study reveals that, sugar yield was significantly increased under optimized condition which was higher than earlier reports and promises the use of Tithonia roduntifolia as a feedstock for fructose production.
Keywords: Inulin, Inulinase,Tithonia roduntifolia, Fructose
