Immobilization ofβ-fructofuranosidase fromAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524 on porous silica

Abstract
β-Fructofuranosidase P-1 fromAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524, which produces a fructo-oligosaccharide (1-kestose) from sucrose, was immobilized covalently onto alkylamine porous silica with glutaraldehyde at high efficiency (44.4%). Optimum pore diameter of porous silica for immobilization of the enzyme was 91.7 nm. The enzymatic profiles of immobilized enzyme were almost identical to the native one except its stabilities to temperature and metal ions were improved. 1-Kestose was produced continuously and selectively from 40% (w/v) sucrose at fast flow rates by a column packed with the immobilized enzyme for up to 26 days, and the effluent concentration of 1-kestose remained in the range 113–135 mg ml−1.