Hydrolase-catalyzed beta-mannosylations

Transmannosylations catalysed by beta-mannosidase from snail viscera or beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae were accomplished with 4-nitrophenyl beta-D-mannopyranoside as donor substrate. With suitable hydrophobic acceptor molecules preferentially beta1-4-linked disaccharides were obtained. The activities of both glycosidases in buffer cosolvent mixtures were determined, and conditions for their immobilization were elaborated and optimized. A model of the enzymic transfer mechanism is suggested.