Inulinase is an important industrial enzyme used for the production of fructose and fructooligosaccharides, which have significant applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. The present study focuses on the isolation, characterization, and media optimization for enhanced production of inulinase by Bacillus sp. isolated from industrial waste, along with the evaluation of its anti-diabetic activity. Industrial waste samples were collected and screened for inulinase-producing bacteria using selective media containing inulin as the sole carbon source. Among the isolates, a potent strain identified as Bacillus sp. exhibited maximum inulinase activity. The enzyme was partially characterized with respect to optimal pH, temperature, incubation time, and substrate concentration. Media optimization was carried out by modifying various nutritional parameters such as carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, and temperature to enhance enzyme production. The optimized conditions significantly increased inulinase yield compared to the initial medium. The enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin produced fructose and fructo oligosaccharides, which were further evaluated for their potential anti-diabetic activity through in vitro assays such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. The results indicated that the products obtained from inulin hydrolysis exhibited promising inhibitory activity against carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, suggesting potential benefits in controlling postprandial blood glucose levels. This study demonstrates that industrial waste can serve as a valuable source for isolating efficient inulinase-producing microorganisms and highlights the potential of Bacillus-derived inulinase and its products for applications in functional foods and anti-diabetic therapeutics.
Ravichandran et al. (Sun,) studied this question.