Formation of Levan from Raffinose by Levansucrase of Zymomonas mobilis

Abstract Levansucrase (EC 2.4.1.10.) of Zymomonas mobilis 113S can perform the polymerisation of fructose moiety from raffinose to levan concomitantly with a release of non‐catabolised melibiose into the medium. The kinetic parameters of the levansucrase‐catalysed reaction provide even higher reaction velocities on raffinose as compared to sucrose, particularly at low substrate concentrations. A decreased value in the number of the average molecular mass (Mn = 1693 kDa), an increased intrinsic viscosity (η = 49.47 cm3/g), and a diminished Huggin's constant (K' = 0.67) are intrinsic to the levan synthesis from raffinose, indicating certain structural peculiarities compared to a polysaccharide obtained from sucrose (Mn = 1851 kDa, [η] = 42.47 cm3/g, K' = 1.21).