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Measuring Lactase Enzymatic Activity in the Teaching Lab
Published on: August 6, 2018
Recent advances on physiological functions and biotechnological production of epilactose
Wanmeng Mu1, Qiuxi Li, Chen Fan
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China. wmmu@jiangnan.edu.cn
Abstract:
Epilactose (4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-mannose), an epimer of lactose, is a rare disaccharide existing extremely small quantities in heat-treated milk, in which epilactose is produced by non-enzymatic catalysis from lactose. This disaccharide is a kind of non-digestible carbohydrate, has a good prebiotic effect, and promotes intestinal mineral absorption. This article presents a review of recent studies on epilactose formation in food system, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and its physiological functions. In addition, the biochemical properties and kinetic parameters of the epilactose-producing enzyme, cellobiose 2-epimerase, are compared, and the biotechnological production of epilactose from lactose is reviewed.
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