Bacteria and Enzymes for Production of Alternan Fragments

Technology Description:

The invention relates to microorganisms which secrete a new enzymes (alternanase) effective for hydrolysis of alternan and a method for isolating such microorganisms. Alternan is a polysaccharide which is easily produced by a fermentation process from sucrose, but alternan is very resistant to microbial degradation and not attacked by enzymes that degrade starch. When treated with alternanase, however, depolymerization occurs producing a thinned composition of low molecular weight and reduced viscosity. The resulting fractions have properties similar to gum arabic, maltodextrin or polydextrose. The degree of depolymerization and hence the final viscosity may be tailored for commercial applications such as no-calorie, no-fat food additives and bulking agents and extenders in cosmetics.

Reference:

Please refer to USPN 5,786,196, which issued on June 29, 1999.