Oligosaccharides formed from sucrose by fructose-transferring enzymes of higher plants

The synthesis of oligosaccharides by the transfer of hexose residues from one molecule of sucrose to another has been observed with invertase preparations from yeast and filamentous fungi (see summary by Bacon, 1954a; also Gross, Blanchard & Bell, 1954; Bell & Edelman, 1954). The hexose residue transferred is fructose, resulting in the formation of oligosaccharides enriched in fructose. Fructose may also be transferred to other acceptor molecules with primary-alcohol groups, including a variety of sugars and alcohols (Bealing, 1953; Bacon, 1954b). Free glucose serves as an acceptor with both invertase preparations, though the di- saccharides formed are different with yeast and mould enzymes Purification and other treatments of an invertase preparation lead to