High production of fructooligosaccharides by levansucrase from <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> natto CCT 7712

Abstract

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are fructose oligomers known as prebiotics that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improving host’s health. FOS can be produced by the action of fructosyltranferases from microorganisms, including the Bacillus subtilis natto. The objective of the present study was applying response surface methodology in order to optimize the FOS production by levansucrase from B. subtilis natto CCT 771. The variables evaluated were sucrose concentration, pH and temperature. From the analysis of the results, the significant variables were pH and sucrose concentration (p < 0.05). Levansucrase of B. subtilis natto synthesized fructooligosaccharides in all experimental conditions, showing its potential for use in an industrial process of producing FOS from sucrose. The use of response surface methodology allowed the determination of the concentration of sucrose (334 g^.L^-1), pH (6.0) and temperature (45.8°C) for a maximum yield of 54.86 g^.L^-1 FOS.

Keywords: Fructooligosaccharides, Bacillus subtilis, levansucrase, prebiotics.

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol 13(27) 2734-2740