Various carbon sources were evaluated for production of inulinase by yeast, 
Kluyveromyces marxianus MTCC 3995. Highest inulinase activity was observed with 
Dahlia extract (25.3 nkat mL(-1)) as carbon source. The enzyme activity was 1.4 
folds higher than that observed in media containing pure chicory inulin (17.8 
nkat mL(-1)). The yeast showed good growth on a simple medium containing dahlia 
extract (20% w/v) and yeast extract (2%w/v) as carbon and nitrogen source 
respectively, in 96 h. at 28°C and 120 rpm. Lowest inulinase yield (4.8 nkat 
mL(-1)) was seen in the medium containing glucose as C-source. Although varied 
inulinase levels were noticed on different C- sources, Inulinase: Sucrase (I/S) 
ratios were noticed to be similar. Among various protein sources tested, yeast 
extract was found to be the best source followed by beef extract (17.9 nkat 
mL(-1)) and peptone (13.8 nkat mL(-1)). The enzyme was optimally active at pH 
(4.0) and 50°C. TLC analysis of end product revealed that inulinase hydrolyzed 
inulin exclusively into fructose. Results suggest that the dahlia extract 
induced exoinulinase synthesis in Kluyveromyces marxianus and can be utilized as 
a potential substrate for inulinase production.