Enzymatic preparation of melibiose and alkyl β-d-fructofuranosides by commercial lactase

Lactozyme 3000L was found to possess β-fructofuranosidase activity and catalyzed hydrolysis of raffinose to melibiose and formation of alkyl β-d-fructofuranosides from sucrose. The total chemical yield of melibiose was 95.5%, yields of alkyl β-d-fructofuranosides ranged from 5.2 to 20.2% depending on the structure of the acceptor. Alcohols larger than butanol were not glycosylated.