Inulinase activity ofDebaromyces cantarellii

Abstract

Debaromyces cantarellii Capriotti contains an inulinase activity which is inducible by growth on inulin but not on other β-fructosides. The induction is inhibited by glucose and fructose. The system is situated in the cell wall and can be best extracted with a 20 mm phosphate buffer at pH 8.5. The inulinase activity shows pH optima at 4 and 6, suggesting the presence of two enzymes, the latter being more tightly bound to the cell wall. Both enzymes degrade inulin from the nonreducin end. The cells also contain a constitutive β-fructofuranosidase with a specificity partly overlapping with that of the inulinase(s).