Maltooligosaccharide forming amylases and their applications in food and pharma industry

Oligosaccharides are low molecular weight carbohydrates with a wide range of health benefits due to their excellent bio-preservative and prebiotic properties. The popularity of functional oligosaccharides among modern consumers has resulted in impressive market demand. Organoleptic and prebiotic properties of starch-derived oligosaccharides are advantageous to food quality and health. The extensive health benefits of oligosaccharides offered their applications in the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic industry. Maltooligosaccharides and isomaltooligosaccharides comprise 2–10 glucose units linked by α-1-4 and α-1-6 glycoside bonds, respectively. Conventional biocatalyst-based oligosaccharides processes are often multi-steps, consisting of starch gelatinization, hydrolysis and transglycosylation. With higher production costs and processing times, the current demand cannot meet on a large-scale production. As a result, innovative and efficient production technology for oligosaccharides synthesis holds paramount importance. Malto-oligosaccharide forming amylase (EC 3.2.1.133) is one of the key enzymes with a dual catalytic function used to produce oligosaccharides. Interestingly, Malto-oligosaccharide forming amylase catalyzes glycosidic bond for its transglycosylation to its inheritance hydrolysis and alternative biocatalyst to the multistep technology. Genetic engineering and reaction optimization enhances the production of oligosaccharides. The development of innovative and cost-effective technologies at competitive prices becomes a national priority.