Establishing the optimal conditions for fructose production from chicory inulin

In the present study, the Box-Behnken design was used to determine the optimal conditions for fructose production using the inulinase (enzyme) on chicory inulin (substrate). The inulinase concentration, pH, temperature and time of hydrolysis are the most important factors used to analyze the fructose production. Concentration of enzyme of 8-80 INU.g(-1), temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees C, pH of 4.0-6.5 and hydrolysis time between 1 and 96 hours were studied to establish the optimal conditions for fructose production from chicory inulin. Enzyme concentration and hydrolysis time were the most important variables which have positive effects on enzymatic hydrolysis. For achieving high yields of fructose, for inulin hydrolysis, enzyme concentrations over 31.0 INU.g(-1) and hydrolysis time over 50 hours were necessary. The maximum yield of enzymatic hydrolysis was 0.959 g of fructose/g of inulin for the following conditions of inulin hydrolysis: enzyme concentration of 44 INU.g(-1), reaction temperature of 65 degrees C, pH of 5.25 and 96 hours of hydrolysis.