Purification and Partial Characterization of a Fructanase which Hydrolyzes Natural Polysaccharides from Sugarcane Juice.

A new sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) fructanase which hydrolyzes both high molecular weight polysaccharides mid R:Fructose(4):Galactitol(5)mid R:(n) (SP) and moderate-sized carbohydrates mid R:Fructose(2):Galactitol(3)3mid R:(n) (MMWC) has been purified from sugarcane juice. The K(m) value has been estimated to be 33.7 micrograms per milliliter and 20 micrograms per milliliter for SP and MMWC, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature values are 6.0 and 30 degrees C, respectively. Purified protein has a pl value of 6.35 and a molecular weight of 13.2 kilodaltons. Fructanase activity appears to be Mn(2+)-dependent.