ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF TRISACCHARIDES AND ALKYL BETA-D-GLUCOSIDES BY THE TRANSGLYCOSYLATION REACTION OF BETA-GLUCOSIDASE FROM FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM

Purified beta-glucosidase from Fusarium oxysporum catalyses hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions. By utilizing the transglycosylation reaction, trisaccharides and alkyl beta-D-glucosides were synthesized under optimal conditions in the presence of various disaccharides and alcohols. The yields of trisaccharides and alkyl beta-D-glucosides were 22-37% and 10-33% of the total sugar, respectively. The enzyme retained 70-80% of its original activity in the presence of 25% (w/v) methanol, ethanol and propanol. Thus, beta-glucosidase from F. oxysporum appears to be an ideal enzyme for the synthesis of useful trisaccharides and alkyl beta-D-glucosides.