Efficient induction of inulin fructotransferase by inulin and by difructose anhydride III in Arthrobacter aurescens SK 8.001

Inulin fructotransferase (IFTase; EC 4.2.2.18) has received great attention mainly due to its application in producing difructose anhydride III (DFA III), which is a novel functional sweetener. The object of this study was to investigate the induction of IFTase in Arthrobacter aurescens SK 8.001 with various carbon sources, especially inulin and DFA III. IFTase production could be significantly promoted by the supplement of inulin (5–50 g/L) and DFA III (5–20 g/L). Inulin at high initial concentrations gave no indication of catabolite repression, whereas 30 and 40 g/L DFA III intensely inhibited cell growth and IFTase activity. No fructose was detected in broth throughout the cultivation with inulin, and inulin was converted into DFA III and minor fructooligosaccharides. And when DFA III was the carbon source, DFA III was the only sugar detected in the broth. In conclusion, both DFA III and inulin are effective for IFTase induction, and inulin with higher IFTase activity proved to be a more potent inducer.