Invertase‐catalyzed reactions in alcoholic solutions

Abstract
The formation of alkyl β‐D‐fructofuranosides by invertase from sucrose in aqueous solutions of methanol, ethanol, or n‐propanol is studied for the dependence on alcohol and invertase concentrations as well as on reaction time. The yield of alkyl β‐D‐fructosides is shown to be controlled by three competitive reactions: the alcoholysis of sucrose, the hydrolysis of sucrose, and the hydrolysis of alkyl β‐D‐fructosides. Both the conversion rate of sucrose and the fraction of alkyl β‐D‐fructosides in the product mixture are dependent on the chain length of the alcohols. They decrease in the sequence methanol > ethanol > n‐propanol. Alkyl β‐D‐fructosides are also formed by invertase starting from alcoholic solutions of fructose.