Bio-solvents change regioselectivity in the synthesis of disaccharides using Biolacta β-galactosidase

Bio-solvents are good alternative solvents that avoid the use of classical organic solvents when performing enzymatic reactions. A noticeably change in regioselectivity was observed in the synthetic behaviour of Biolacta beta-galactosidase using bio-solvents derived from dimethylamide and glycerol as co-solvents. Under these conditions, the enzyme changes its well known tendency to produce beta-(1 --> 4) to beta-(1 --> 6) disaccharides. An evaluation of the bio-solvent concentration and the effects of the non proteic additives in commercially available Biolacta beta-galactosidase was undertaken in order to optimize the reaction conditions to improve the yield of the beta-(1 --> 6) product. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.