Purification and properties of an extracellular inulinase from Rhizopus sp. strain TN-96.

A filamentous fungus, Rhizopus sp. strain TN-96, was isolated from rhizosphere soil samples. An extracellular inulinase was purified from the culture filtrate of strain TN-96 grown on inulin by DEAE-Cellulofine A-500 and Sephacryl S-200 HP chromatographies. The enzyme was homogeneous as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an apparent M(r) of 83 kDa. The purified enzyme had specific activities of 17 U/mg toward inulin (I) and 0.32 U/mg toward sucrose (S) (I/S ratio, 53). Inulinase activity was optimal at pH 5.5 and 40 degrees C. The inulinase exhibited an apparent K(m) value of 9.0 mM for inulin. The enzyme also hydrolyzed raffinose, but not bacterial levan.