Products
Invertase is commercially available as a pure substance and in some countries as a dietary supplement. It is present in foods as a natural product or additive.
Structure and properties
Invertases are enzymes found in various living organisms. For use in food, it is usually extracted from yeast. Bees use invertase to make honey from nectar. Enzymes can be present as powders or liquids.
Effects
Invertase splits sucrose (household sugar) into its two components, glucose (grape sugar) and fructose (fruit sugar). The resulting mixture is called invert sugar.
- Sucrose + water (H2O) glucose + fructose
Fields of application
The invertase is used for the production of invert sugar and for confectionery, for example, for chocolates and marzipan. Invert sugar, unlike sucrose, hardly crystallizes and prevents undesirable crystallization. Invertase is also added as a humectant. In combination with other digestive enzymes for the prevention of gastrointestinal discomfort during food consumption.
