Production of fructooligosaccharides in high yield using a mixed enzyme system of beta-fructofuranosidase and glucose oxidase

A mixed enzyme system, with beta -fructofuranosidase (obtained from Aspergi llus japonicus) and commercial glucose oxidase (Gluzyme, Novo Nordisk), pro duced fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in high yield from sucrose. The reaction was performed in an aerated stirred tank reactor controlled at pH 5.5 by a slurry of CaCO3. Glucose, an inhibitor of beta -fructofuranosidase, produc ed in the reaction was converted by glucose oxidase to gluconic acid, which was then precipitated to calcium gluconate in solution. The system produce d more than 90% (w/w) FOS on a dry weight basis, the remainder was glucose, sucrose and a small amount of calcium gluconate. Most of the FOS and sucro se was hydrolyzed to fructose in the mixed enzyme system with glucose oxida se and beta -fructofuranosidase from Asp. niger.