ARS | Publication request: PREBIOTIC OLIGOSACCHARIDES VIA ALTERNANSUCRASE ACCEPTOR REACTIONS

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 11, 2002
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Alternansucrase synthesizes an alpha-(1-3),(1-6)-D-glucan via glucosyl transfer from sucrose. It also synthesizes oligosaccharides containing both types of linkages when acceptor sugars are present (Cote & Robyt, Carbohydr. Res. 111 (1982) 127-142). We have used alternansucrase to synthesize oligosaccharides from maltose, maltodextrins, maltitol, cellobiose, raffinose, melibiose, lactose, and other acceptors. Analysis of the products shows that alternansucrase is better at catalyzing acceptor reactions when compared to dextransucrase, and that the structures of the products differ. Whereas dextransucrase generally makes only a single product from any given acceptor, alternansucrase often makes two or more, and in higher yields. Several of these oligosaccharide acceptor products have been isolated and tested for their ability to support the growth of probiotic bacteria, including strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. .Certain acceptor products supported growth of probiotic strains but did no serve as substrates for undesirable bacteria such as Salmonella, Clostridium, or E. coli. The structures of the acceptor products and their potential as prebiotics will be discussed.