Disaccharide Synthesis by Enzymatic Condensation of Glucose: Glycoside Linkage Patterns for Different Fungal Species

Four enzyme preparations produced by fungal species belonging to different genera (Aspergillus niger, Cory- nascus sp., Penicillium verruculosum, Trichoderma reesei) were used for synthesis of disaccharides by D-glucose (60% w/v) condensation catalyzed by  -glucosidase. Effects of pH and temperature on the disaccharide synthesis were studied, and glycoside linkage patterns for enzymes from different sources were determined. The highest concentration of disac- charides (114 and 118 g/l) was achieved in the case of A. niger and Corynascus sp. enzymes after 48 h of the condensa- tion reaction carried out at 70 o C and optimal pH; the P. verruculosum sample slightly conceded them in the yield of products (96 g/l), while the T. reesei preparation displayed the lowest synthetic activity (35 g/l). Gentiobiose was pre- dominantly formed in the reaction catalyzed by the first three enzyme samples, while in the case of T. reesei laminaribiose was the main condensation product.