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Difructose anhydrides: their mass-production and physiological functions
1Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
|August 17, 2000
Summary
Difructose anhydrides (DFAs) are novel cyclic disaccharides with potential health benefits. Mass production and in vivo studies reveal their unique interaction with gut microbiota and impact on calcium absorption.
Area of Science:
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Difructose anhydrides (DFAs) are cyclic disaccharides composed of two fructose units.
- Their unique structures suggest novel physiological functions.
- DFAs have potential applications in food and health industries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve mass-production of DFA III and DFA IV.
- To evaluate the physiological properties of DFA III and DFA IV.
- To investigate the effects of DFAs on calcium absorption.
Main Methods:
- Selected bacterial strains (Arthrobacter sp. H65-7, A. nicotinovorans GS-9) for enzyme production.
- Purified inulase II and LFTase enzymes responsible for DFA synthesis.
- Cloned and expressed enzyme genes in E. coli for enhanced production.
- Conducted in vivo studies in rats to assess DFA metabolism and calcium absorption.
Main Results:
- Achieved mass-production of DFA III and DFA IV through recombinant enzyme expression.
- DFAs III and IV exhibit half the sweetness of sucrose and are resistant to rat digestion.
- In vivo studies showed DFA utilization by intestinal microorganisms and affected calcium absorption in the small intestine.
- DFAs influenced calcium absorption via mechanisms distinct from other prebiotics.
Conclusions:
- Mass production of DFA III and DFA IV is feasible using recombinant enzymes.
- DFAs possess unique metabolic and physiological properties, including effects on calcium absorption.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the unknown intestinal degradation system for DFAs.