Comprehensive insights into how glycoside hydrolases combinations tailor arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS)
Kai P Leschonski1, Kristian B R M Krogh2, Martin F Laursen3
1National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Novonesis A/S, Biologiens Vej 2, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|July 23, 2026
Summary
This study produced diverse arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) using various enzymes. These structurally distinct AXOS are now available for future research on their prebiotic effects.
Area of Science:
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) are prebiotics whose structure-function relationship is not fully understood due to a lack of structurally diverse, purified compounds.
- Wheat arabinoxylan (AX) is a source of AXOS, but enzymatic hydrolysis yields varied structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enzymatically tailor and produce sufficient quantities of structurally distinct AXOS for fermentation studies.
- To address challenges in AXOS production and purification.
Main Methods:
- Hydrophilic-interaction chromatography (HPAEC) was used to analyze AXOS structures produced by xylanases from glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 5_21, 5_34, 8, 10, and 11.
- Enzymatic hydrolysis using GH5_21, GH8, GH10, and GH11 xylanases, along with β-xylosidase and arabinofuranosidases, produced and purified ten AXOS fractions.
- Preparative gel permeation chromatography separated four additional AXOS fractions with varying degrees of polymerization (DP).
Main Results:
- AXOS produced by GH5 and GH8 xylanases exhibited distinct structures compared to those from GH10 and GH11 xylanases.
- Ten purified AXOS fractions (DP 3-15), purely mono- and/or disubstituted, were obtained.
- Four additional AXOS fractions with DP ranges from 3 to 34 were produced and separated.
- Up to 0.5 grams of each AXOS fraction were produced, making them available for further studies.
Conclusions:
- This study successfully produced a range of structurally diverse arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS).
- The produced AXOS fractions are suitable for future investigations into their prebiotic potential.
- Enzymatic tailoring offers a viable strategy for generating specific AXOS structures.
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