Flavonol 3-O-beta-heterodisaccharidase (FHG 1) was isolated from the dried herb of Fagopyrum esculentum, immobilized on Porous glass, and used for the release of rutinose from rutin. The stability of the enzyme in its free or immobilized form was observed continuously at two different temperatures (4 degrees C and 25 degrees C). T-1/2 values were determined to be about 48 h for the free enzyme and about 300 h for the immobilized enzyme. The rutinose released was isolated by fractionated ethanol precipitation.