Efficient Synthesis and
Characterization of Lactulosucrose
by <i>Leuconostoc mesenteroides</i> B‑512F Dextransucrase
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Abstract
This work describes an efficient enzymatic synthesis
and NMR structural
characterization of the trisaccharide β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-fructofuranosyl-(2→1)-α-d-glucopyranoside,
also termed as lactulosucrose. This oligosaccharide was formed by
the <i>Leuconostoc mesenteroides</i> B-512F dextransucrase-catalyzed
transfer of the glucosyl residue from sucrose to the 2-hydroxyl group
of the reducing unit of lactulose. The enzymatic reaction was carried
out under optimal conditions, i.e., at 30 °C in 20 mM sodium
acetate buffer with 0.34 mM CaCl<sub>2</sub> at pH 5.2, and the effect
of factors such as reaction time (0–48 h), enzyme charge (0.8,
1.6, and 2.4 U mL<sup>–1</sup>), and sucrose:lactulose concentration
ratios (20:40, 30:30, and 40:20, expressed in g/100 mL) on the formation
of transfer products were studied. The highest formation in lactulosucrose
was attained at 8 and 24–32 h by using 20%:40% and 30%:30%
sucrose:lactulose mixtures, respectively, with 1.6 or 2.4 U mL<sup>–1</sup> dextransucrase, leading to lactulosucrose yields
of 27–35% in weight respect to the initial amount of lactulose.
Furthermore, minor tetra- and pentasaccharide, both probably derived
from lactulose, were also detected and quantified. Likewise, the capacity
of lactulosucrose to act as d-glucosyl donor once the sucrose
was consumed, could explain its decrease from 16 to 24 h when the
highest charge of dextransucrase was used. Considering the chemical
structure of the synthesized oligosaccharides, lactulosucrose and
its derivatives could potentially be excellent candidates for an emerging
prebiotic ingredient