From inulin to fructose syrups using sol-gel immobilized inulinase.

The present work aims to provide the basic characterization of sol-gel immobilized inulinase, a biocatalyst configuration yet unexploited, using as model system the hydrolysis of inulin to fructose. Porous xerogel particles with dimensions in slight excess of 10 μm were obtained, yielding an immobilization efficiency of roughly 80%. The temperature- and pH-activity profiles displayed a broader bell-shaped pattern as a result of immobilization.