Abstract

Inulinase production and cell growth of Kluyveromyces marxianus MTCC 3995 were studied under different conditions during our research work. Cichorium roots and Dahlia tubers were used as inulin source. The substrates prepared by different extraction methods showed that Dahlia extract prepared at 15 kg/cm2 pressure was the most favourable inducers of inulinase with maximum activity of 9.8 IU/ml. Inulinase activity was strongly influenced by intermittent feeding of solution containing carbon and nitrogen source. The best condition to cellular growth and inulinase activity was observed with solution containing 0.25% (w/v) peptone and 1.0% (w/v) sucrose. There was 22% increase in enzyme activity with intermittent feeding as compared to inulinase activity without intermittent feeding. Inulinase activity was also influenced by media with peptone as nitrogen source. However, nitrogen sources ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride were found inhibitory for inulinase production. Incubation temperature as 27ºC was observed in our study as most favourable for cell growth and maximum inulinase activity (IU/ml).