INVERTASE

Description

Produced by the controlled fermentation of a number of species of Saccharomyces traditionally used in the manufacture of food. White to tan amorphous powder. Soluble in water (the solution is usually light yellow) but practically insoluble in alcohol, chloroform or ether. The major active principle is invertase, IUB No. 3.2.1.26, CAS No. 9001-57-4.

Chemical properties

solid

The Uses of INVERTASE

For preparation of invert sugar from sucrose; as analytical reagent for sucrose.

The Uses of INVERTASE

Invertase from baker′s yeast (S. cerevisiae) has been used:

• in liquid media (YES) and is used to determine the invertase activity
• supplemented to the reaction mixture in the extraction and analysis of sugars and starch
• for sucrose hydrolysis

The Uses of INVERTASE

Invertase Glycoprotein Standard has been used:

• to generate N-linked glycan library
• as a negative control to study the binding of lectins to high mannose structures
• for sample pre-treatment in proteomic analyses to study drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis

Definition

Enzyme produced by yeast and by the lining of the intestines. It is a white powder, soluble in water. It catalyzes the conversion of sucrose (ordinary sugar) to glucose and levulose (fructose) during fermentation of sugars.

General Description

Invertase from Candida utilis is secreted in the periplasm. The molecular weight of invertase from C. utilis is 300 kDa. It is a dimer of identical subunits. It is a N-glycosylated protein, rich in mannose oligosaccharide in its structure. The invertase encoding gene of C. utilis shares high homology with SUC2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Biochem/physiol Actions

Invertase acts on sucrose and cleaves it into glucose and fructose. It is used in the preparation of invert syrup with equimolar concentration of fructose and sucrose. It finds its applications in confectionaries and in the production of alcoholic beverages, glycerol and lactic acid. Invertase is also used in the preparation of artificial honey, plasticizers for cosmetic industries.