5005. Invertase

Nomenclature

CAS number: 9001-57-4
Invertin; saccharase; sucrase.

Description and references

Enzymes, obtained primarily from yeast as well as other sources, which catalyze the hydrolysis of sucrose into fructose and glucose. Since sucrose is both a β-fructofuranoside and an α-glucoside, it is split by two different types of enzymes, β-fructofuranosidases or β-h-fructosidases and certain α-glucosidases or α-n-glucosidoinvertases, which attack the sucrose molecule from the fructose and glucose end, respectively. β-Fructofuranosidase, generally obtained from yeast, is characterized by its ability to hydrolyze raffinose, while α-glucosidase is inactive toward raffinose. Reviews: K. Myrbck, “Invertases” in The Enzymes vol. 4, P. D. Boyer et al., Eds. (Academic Press, New York, 1960) pp 379-396; Lampen, “Yeast and Neurospora Invertases”, ibid. vol. 5 (3rd ed., 1971) pp 291-305; Cochrane, Soc. Chem. Ind. Monogr. no. 11, 25-31 (1959) (Pub. 1961); Meister, Wallerstein Lab. Commun. 28, 7 (1965).

Use

For preparation of invert sugar from sucrose; as analytical reagent for sucrose.