Enzymatic Production of Galactooligosaccharide by Bullera singularis $\beta$-Galactosidase

Galactooligosaccharides (GalOS) were efficiently produced by partially purified $\beta$-galactosidase from the yeast strain Bullera singularis ATCC 24193. Ammonium sulfate precipitation and ultrafiltration methods were used to prepare the enzyme. The enzyme activity decreased at $50^{\circ}C$ and above. A maximum yield of 40% (w/w) GalOS, corresponding to 120 g of GalOS per liter, was obtained from 300 g per liter of lactose solution at $45^{\circ}C$, pH 3.7 when the lactose conversion was 70%. The yield of GalOS did not increase with increasing initial lactose concentration but the total amounts of GalOS did. Volumetric productivity was 4.8 g of GalOS per liter per hour. During this reaction, the by-products, glucose and galactose, were found to inhibit GalOS formation. Reaction products were found to be comprised of disaccharides and trisaccharides according to TLC and HPLC analyses. We propose the structure of the major product, a trisaccharide, to be ο-$\beta$-D-galactopyranosyl-(l-4)-ο-$\beta$-D-galactopyranosyl-(l-4)-$\beta$-D-glucose (4'-galactosyl lactose).