Synthesis of oligosaccharides by beta-fructofuranosidase in biphasic medium containing organic solvent as bulk phase

The effect of four organic solvents on beta-fructofuranosidase mediated synthesis of oligosaccharides from sucrose were investigated. Amongst the solvents examined, butyl acetate proved to be the best for oligosaccharide synthesis, Starting with the equivalent of 44.6 g/L of sucrose, 247 U of enzyme and 91.6% (by vol.) of butyl acetate results in the production of 8.8 g/L of oligosaccharides within 30 min, with trisaccharides constituting more than 60% of the oligosaccharides. The efficiency for conversion of sucrose to oligosaccharides is greater than 19%, and this exceeds the 11.6% (in 24 h) previously achieved with 1271 U of the same enzyme in aqueous medium. Use of butyl acetate as the bulk phase therefore modifies the reaction environment in favour of enhanced and accelerated rate of oligosaccharide synthesis by this beta-fructofuranosidase.