Screening of microorganisms for transfructosylating activity and optimization of biotransformation of sucrose to fructooligosaccharides

The biotransformation of sucrose to fructooligosaccharides was investigated using the catalytic action of fructosyltransferase originated from several fungi strains in a batch reactor. The microorganisms were selected with re spect to the yield and selectivity of fructooligosaccharide production. Two strains of Aureobasidium pullulans and Aspergillus niger were found as the microorganisms with the highest transferase activity The effect of pH and temperature on the enzymic production of fructooligosaccharides was investi gated using the whole cells of A. pullulans. No significant effect of these factors was observed in the range of pH 4-8 and temperature from 50 to 65 degrees C.