HIGH-YIELD SYNTHESIS OF N-ACETYLLACTOSAMINE BY REGIOSELECTIVE TRANSGLYCOSYLATION

The synthesis of N-acetyllaetosamine (D-Galp beta 1-4D-GlepNAc) with v ery low contamination of its isomer N-acetylallolactosamine (D-Galp be ta 1-6D-GlepNAc) was obtained by use of regioselective transglycosylat ion activity of beta-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans using lacto se as thr donor of D-Galp and D-GlepNAc as the acceptor. The reaction was conducted at 15 degrees C and at pH 5.0. The incubation time was c onsiderably reduced and the yield improved 100% with respect to the be st results so far described in tile literature. (C) 1996 Academic Pres s Inc.