β-Galactosidase: From its source and applications to its recombinant form

Carbohydrate-active enzymes are a group of important enzymes playing a critical role in the degradation and synthesis of carbohydrates. Glycosidases can hydrolyze glycosides into oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates via a cost-effective approach. Lactase is an important member of beta-glycosidases found in higher plants, animals, and microorganisms. beta-Galactosidases can be used to degrade the milk lactose for making lactose-free milk, which is sweeter than regular milk and is suitable for lactose-intolerant people. beta-Galactosidase is employed by many food industries to degrade lactose and improve the digestibility, sweetness, solubility, and flavor of dairy products. beta-Galactosidase enzymes have various families and are applied in the food-processing industries such as hydrolyzed-milk products, whey, and galactooligosaccharides. Thus, this enzyme is a valuable protein which is now produced by recombinant technology. In this review, origins, structure, recombinant production, and critical modifications of beta-galactosidase for improving the production process are discussed. Since beta-galactosidase is a valuable enzyme in industry and health care, a study of its various aspects is important in industrial biotechnology and applied biochemistry.

Automated summary

Carbohydrate-active enzymes, particularly beta-galactosidases, play a critical role in the degradation and synthesis of carbohydrates. Beta-galactosidase is used in the food industry to improve the properties and quality of dairy products.