?-Galactosidase-Producing Isolates in Mucoromycota: Screening, Enzyme Production, and Applications for Functional Oligosaccharide Synthesis

?-Galactosidases of Mucoromycota are rarely studied, although this group filamentous fungi is an excellent source many industrial enzymes. In study, 99 isolates from the genera Lichtheimia, Mortierella, Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus and Umbelopsis, were screened for their ?-galactosidase activity using a chromogenic agar approach. Ten best producers selected, was further investigated in submerged (SmF) solid-state (SSF) fermentation systems containing lactose and/or wheat bran substrates as enzyme production inducers. Wheat proved to be efficient under both SmF SSF conditions, giving maximum specific yields 32 12,064 U/mg protein 783 22,720 protein, respectively. Oligosaccharide synthesis tests revealed suitability crude ?-galactosidases Lichtheimia ramosa Szeged Microbiological Collection (SZMC) 11360 Rhizomucor pusillus SZMC 11025 catalyze transgalactosylation reactions. addition, extracts had transfructosylation activity, resulting formation fructo-oligosaccharide molecules sucrose-containing environment. The maximal oligosaccharide concentration varied between 0.0158 2.236 g/L depending on initial material. Some oligosaccharide-enriched mixtures supported growth probiotics, indicating potential studied future prebiotic processes.