Disaccharides and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) Production by Wild Yeasts Isolated from Agave

FOS are short fructans with different DP and bonds in their structure, generated by the distinct activities of fructosyltransferase enzymes, which produce distinct types of links. FOS are highly demanded on the market, principally for their prebiotic effects. In recent years it has been described that depending on the link type in FOS structure, their prebiotic activity could be enhanced. Studies about β-fructanofuranosidases (FFasa), enzymes with fructosyltransferase activity in yeast, have reported the produc-tion of 1F-FOS, 6F-FOS, and 6G-FOS. The aims of this work were to evaluate the fructo-syltransferase activity of fifteen yeasts, determine the potential of agave juice as a sub-strate for FOS production, evaluate the fructosyltransferase activity of yeast enzymatic extracts generated by distinct induction media, and determine optimal parameters for FOS production using yeast isolated from agave. To carry out such a task, different techniques were employed: FT-IR, TLC, and HPAEC-PAD. We found two yeasts with fructosyltransferase activity, P. kudriavzevii ITMLB97 and C. lusitaniae ITMLB85. In addition, within the most relevant results, the production of the FOS: kestose, 6-kestose, and neokestose, as well as disaccharides: inulobiose, levanobiose, and blas-tose were determined, which are molecules with future potential applications. Overall, FOS production requires suitable yeasts, which grow in a medium under optimal con-ditions, from which microbial enzymes with industrial potential can be obtained.