Technical note: Application of immobilized cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus for continuous hydrolysis to fructose of fructans in Jerusalem artichoke extracts

Dead cells of Kluyveromyces marxianus having inulase (β-D-fructo fructanohydrolase E.C.3.2.1.7) activity were immobilized in alginate beads and used as a biocatalyst in a packed bed reactor and a stirred batch reactor. Fructosans of Jerusalem artichoke tubers, after extraction, were utilized for continuous or semi-continuous production of fructose. In a bed reactor packed with 100 ml of beads, a volumetric productivity of 36 g/l/hr total reducing sugars was obtained with 98% substrate conversion. When operated continuously for 30 days, a half life of 28 days was observed for the biocatalyst. Using artichoke extract containing 20% fructan solution, 98% conversion could be achieved in a batch reactor in 20 hr. Repeated cycling of beads resulted in considerable loss of catalyst from the reactor and subsequent loss in catalytic activity, thus giving a half life of only 14 days.