No abstract

No abstract

Raffinose oligosaccharides (RO) are the major factors responsible for flatulence following ingestion of soybean-derived products. Removal of RO from seeds or soymilk would then have a positive impact on the acceptance of soy-based foods. In this study, a-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae was entrapped in gelatin using formaldehyde as the hardener. The immobilization yield was 64.3% under the optimum conditions of immobilization. The immobilized a-galactosidase showed a shift in optimum pH from 4.8 to 5.4 in acetate buffer. The optimum temperature also shifted from 50°C to 57°C compared with soluble enzyme. Immobilized a-galactosidase was used in batch, repeated batch and continuous mode to degrade RO present in soymilk. In the repeated batch, 45% reduction of RO was obtained in the fourth cycle. The performance of immobilized a-galactosidase was tested in a fluidized bed reactor at different flow rates and 86% reduction of RO in soymilk was obtained at 25 ml h -1 flow rate. The study revealed that immobilized a-galactosidase in continuous mode is efficient in reduction of RO present in soymilk.

This laboratory experiment was designed for Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Food Technology students of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The experiment shows the advantages of using agricultural waste, copra mannan as potent inducer of β‐mannanase. The students were able to compare the enzyme induction by commercial mannans (locust bean gum, and guar gum), copra meal, defatted copra meal, and monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, mannose, and xylose). The students appreciated the use of cheap, locally available copra meal for the enhanced production of enzyme.