Immobilisation of endoinulinase on polyhydroxybutyrate microfibers

Due to the health benefits associated with the consumption of prebiotic short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) and inulooligosaccharides (IOS), there is increased interest in the use of these compounds in food products. We have developed a new biocatalyst for the production of FOS and IOS by inulin hydrolysis. Endoinulinase from Aspergillus niger Inulinase® Novozym 960 (Novozymes) was immobilised on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) nanofibres and microfibres by hydrophobic interactions. The PHB fibres were prepared by centrifugal spinning. FOS and IOS profiles were determined by ion-exchange chromatography with the Rezex RSO-Oligosaccharide column. The biocatalyst had very good activity and stability after repeated applications. It can be used in biocatalytic membrane reactors for the production of prebiotic oligosaccharides.