ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF OLIGOSACCHARIDES

The biological interest of oligosaccharides is growing very rapidly, a nd necessitates the development of efficient synthesis reactions. The stereo- and regio-selectivity of enzyme catalysis is a key advantage i n this field, as a complementary tool to the chemical approach. Two ty pes of enzymes can be applied to the obtention of oligosaccharides: Hy drolytic enzymes, which can catalyze either reverse hydrolysis (thermo dynamic control) or transglycosylation (kinetic control) synthesis rea ctions; and transferase enzymes, which can use simple carbohydrates fr om agricultural origin as glycosyl donors.