Journal
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Volume 97, Issue 14, Pages 6167-6180Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4998-3
Keywords
Lactulose; 1-Lactulose; Lactose; Enzymatic synthesis; beta-Galactosidase; Cellobiose 2-epimerase
Categories
Funding
- Key Project of National Natural Science Fund [31230057]
- National Key Technology R&D Program of China [2011BAD23B03]
- Natural Science Fund of Jiangsu Province [BK2011149]
- Ph.D. Programs Foundation of Jiangnan University [JUDCF09025]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Lactulose, a synthetic ketose disaccharide, has been widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries as prebiotic food additives and drugs against constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose has, so far, been produced chemically using lactose on a commercial scale. The key problems associated with such chemical process are the cost of removal of the catalyst and colored by-products and the product safety. Enzymatic production of lactulose is safe, environment-friendly, and simpler in comparison to the chemical method. As a promising alternative to the chemical method, enzymatic conversion of lactose into lactulose by beta-galactosidase or cellobiose 2-epimerase has recently gained a great deal of attention. This could be considered as a possible route for whey surplus because lactose is the major component of cheese whey. Herein, we summarize recent advances on the enzymatic synthesis of lactulose with emphasis on the selectivity of biocatalysts and their catalytic efficiency in free and immobilized forms. The production of 1-lactulose by enzymatic bioconversion of lactose has also been discussed. Furthermore, future research needs of beta-galactosidase and cellobiose 2-epimerase for the enzymatic synthesis of lactulose and 1-lactulose are reviewed.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available