The basic hydrolysis parameters, i.e. molecular weight of
substrate, reaction time, pH, temperature, and enzyme and substrate
concentration, were standardized to maximize sugar yield from
dextran. Thus, a 74% conversion of 4% dextran to sugar syrup was
reached in 12 h using 6 dextranase units g−1
hydrolysed substrate. The high concentrations of sucrose in the
reaction medium did not affect the hydrolysis efficiency nor the
activity of Penicillium notatum dextranase. Action patterns
of dextranase from P. notatum on dextran were investigated.
Analysis of the dextran hydrolysis end products indicated that P.
notatum dextranase was a typical endo-enzyme, and isomaltose and
isomaltotriose were identified as the primary final products of
dextran hydrolysis.