A specific 1,2-alpha-mannosidase was isolated from A. phoenicis and used in the equilibrium-controlled synthesis of alpha 1-->2-linked mannobiose and mannotriose. Yields of 22.33% disaccharide, 8.21% trisaccharide and 2.74% tetrasaccharide were obtained. Regioselectivity was absolute for the 1-->2 linkage.