Biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis of bioactive molecules

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The proposed research program investigates innovative biocatalytic approaches toward the development of functional ingredients and nutraceuticals. In the short term, the primary focus of this program is on the development of novel enzymatic glycosylation strategies for efficient synthesis of non-digestible oligosaccharides whose benefits, in supporting intestinal health and reducing the risk of cancers, are being increasingly recognized. Novel fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), headed with different pentoses or polyols instead of a glucosyl moiety, have been identified as potential candidates. These new FOSs may conceivably possess new immunomodulatory capacity and antiadhesive activity against pathogens that are not present in the current FOS generation. Although levansucrases (LSs) are being increasingly recognized for their potential to catalyze the synthesis of novel FOSs, their availability and their operational stability are still limited. Initial efforts have been focused on the induction and the recovery of novel LSs from thermophilic microbial sources. To provide a rational basis for a better modulation of the actions of LSs, an important part of the proposed research will focus on the investigation of the mechanism by which these enzymes function. The driving forces that control the thermodynamic equilibrium of LS-catalyzed transfructosylation will also be studied for a greater-yield synthesis of well-defined FOSs. With the aim of enabling easy modulation of the transfructosylation processes, the immobilization of LSs on nanomaterial supports will be studied, emphasizing the relationships between the features of nanomaterials and the efficiency of LSs. The rational combination of immobilization and molecular imprinting will be further explored to improve the LS selectivity. The produced FOSs will be characterized in terms of their structures and their biological activities. This challenging research program is of scientific importance as it will advance the knowledge in the emerging field of enzymatic glycosylation and provide a scientific-based ground for the development of biocatalytic processes at the industrial level for the synthesis of novel FOSs of a potential use as functional ingredients.