One thousand three hundred and fourty one strains of microorganisms were isolated from soil, flower and fruit samples and examineted for production of b-fructofuranosidase. This enzyme produces lactosucrose from mixture of lactose and sucrose. Six strains of microorganisms were selected as lactosucrose producers. Among them, one strain, identified as Bacillus sp nº 417, showed high b-fructofuranosidase transfer activity to lactosucrose production. The optimum pH and temperature for lactosucrose production were 5,6 and 45°C, respectively. The best condition for the lactosucrose production were: 8 hours of reaction; a ratio lactose to sucrose of 1:1 (w/w) and a total sugar concentration of 20% (1:1, w/w).
Lactosucrose; b-fructofuranosidase; Bacillus sp nº417
