Lactose- and cellobiose-derived branched trisaccharides and a sucrose-containing trisaccharide produced by acceptor reactions of Weissella confusa dextransucrase

Abstract Dextran-producing Weissella have received significant attention. However, except for maltose, the acceptor reactions of Weissella dextransucrases with different sugars have not been investigated. The action of recombinant Weissella confusa VTT E-90392 dextransucrase was tested with several potential acceptors, particularly, analogs lactose and cellobiose. The major acceptor products of both disaccharides were identified as branched trisaccharides, with a glucosyl residue α-(1→2)-linked to the acceptor’s reducing end. An additional product, isomelezitose (6 Fru -α-Glc p -sucrose), was also produced when using lactose as an acceptor. This is the first report of the synthesis of isomelezitose by a dextransucrase. The NMR spectra of the three trisaccharides were fully assigned, and their structures were confirmed by selective enzymatic hydrolysis. The trisaccharides prepared from 13 C 6 glc sucrose and lactose were analyzed by ESI-MS n , and the fragmentation patterns of these compounds were characterized.