Purification and partial characterization of a fructanase which hydrolyzes natural polysaccharides from sugarcane juice

Abstract

A new sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) fructanase which hydrolyzes both high molecular weight polysaccharides |Fructose4:Galactitol5|n (SP) and moderate-sized carbohydrates |Fructose2:Galactitol33|n (MMWC) has been purified from sugarcane juice. The Km value has been estimated to be 33.7 micrograms per milliliter and 20 micrograms per milliliter for SP and MMWC, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature values are 6.0 and 30°C, respectively. Purified protein has a pl value of 6.35 and a molecular weight of 13.2 kilodaltons. Fructanase activity appears to be Mn2+-dependent.