Studies on the Decomposition of Raffinose by α-Galactosidase of Mold

Abstract

A mold which produced α-galactosidase and little invertase was isolated and identified as Mortierella vinacea. α-Galactosidase formation of the mold was induced by galactose, melibiose, raffinose and lactose. Among these inducers lactose showed the most stimulative effect. α-Galactosidase was produced by either Koji method or submerged culture method, but in the latter most α-galactosidase was found in the mycelium fraction. Hydrolysis of raffinose in beet molasses was studied with the α-galactosidase in the mycelium fraction and about 80% of raffinose was found to be hydrolyzed by the enzyme preparation.