Isolation of an inulinase derepressed mutant of Pichia polymorpha for the production of fructose

Pichia polymorpha has inulinase activity and could be used for the production of fructose syrup from inulin. The application of immobilized P. polymorpha whole cells for the continuous hydrolysis of inulin is, however, limited since the biosynthesis of this enzyme system is repressed by the reaction products, dextrose and fructose. A derepressed mutant hyperproducer of inulinase was isolated after treatment with EMS followed by a selection step with deoxyglucose.