Biochemical charaterization of a recombinant alpha-galactosidase from Lactobacillus fermentum CRL 722

LEBLANC, J.G.; CARRERA SILVA, A.E.; SESMA, F.; SAVOY DE GIORI, G.

Tafi del Valle, Tucumán

Jornada; XXII Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2005

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

The use of microbial a-galactosidase (a-Gal) whichhydrolyzes a-1,6 galactoside links is a promisingalternative to eliminate a-galactooligosaccharides (a-GOS) found in soy-derived products. These sugars oftenpass through the small intestine and reach the largeintestine where they are fermented by the intestinalmicrobiota, producing gases that can cause physiologicalproblems in sensitive individuals.The goal of this study was to characterize the a-Gal ofLb. fermentum CRL722 produced by E.coli.The a-Gal gene was amplified using degenerate primers,sequenced and cloned into E. coli. The recombinantenzyme was purified and compared to the a-Gal from theoriginal strain (CRL722), both being active in a widerange of pH and temperatures and in the presence ofvarious ions.The complete gene will now be amplified and inserted inprobiotic microorganisms which would then be able todegrade a-GOS in situ in the gastrointestinal tract or useto produce novel fermented foods.