INULIN HYDROLYSIS TO FRUCTOSE BY A NOVEL CATALYST

Acidic zeolite LZ-M-8 was used to catalyse the hydrolysis reaction of inulin into fructose. Fructose contents of 96% and 75% were obtained w hen commercial inulin and Jerusalem artichoke extract were used respec tively as substrates. Zeolite LZ-M-8 was found to be extremely selecti ve towards inulin hydrolysis as compared to fructose decomposition. Fo rmation of hydroxymethyl furfural (HmF) was not detected and it was co nfirmed that zeolite LZ-M-8 does not adsorb HMF. The catalytic activit y of the zeolite remained intact upon repeated use of the catalyst. Th e superiority of the zeolite over other catalysts used in inulin hydro lysis was demonstrated experimentally.