Crystal Structures of Aspergillus japonicus Fructosyltransferase Complex with Donor/Acceptor Substrates Reveal Complete Subsites in the Active Site for Catalysis

Fructosyltransferases catalyze the transfer of a fructose unit from one sucrose/fructan to another and are engaged in the production of fructooligosaccharide/fructan. The enzymes belong to the glycoside hydrolase family 32 (GH32) with a retaining catalytic mechanism. Here we describe the crystal structures of recombinant fructosyltransferase (AjFT) from Aspergillus japonicus CB05 and its mutant D191A complexes with various donor/acceptor substrates, including sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, and raffinose. This is the first structure of fructosyltransferase of the GH32 with a high transfructosylation activity. The structure of AjFT comprises two domains with an N-terminal catalytic domain containing a five-blade β-propeller fold linked to a C-terminal β-sandwich domain. Structures of various mutant AjFT-substrate complexes reveal complete four substrate-binding subsites (−1 to +3) in the catalytic pocket with shapes and characters distinct from those of clan GH-J enzymes. Residues Asp-60, Asp-191, and Glu-292 that are proposed for nucleophile, transition-state stabilizer, and general acid/base catalyst, respectively, govern the binding of the terminal fructose at the −1 subsite and the catalytic reaction. Mutants D60A, D191A, and E292A completely lost their activities. Residues Ile-143, Arg-190, Glu-292, Glu-318, and His-332 combine the hydrophobic Phe-118 and Tyr-369 to define the +1 subsite for its preference of fructosyl and glucosyl moieties. Ile-143 and Gln-327 define the +2 subsite for raffinose, whereas Tyr-404 and Glu-405 define the +2 and +3 subsites for inulin-type substrates with higher structural flexibilities. Structural geometries of 1-kestose, nystose and raffinose are different from previous data. All results shed light on the catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition of AjFT and other clan GH-J fructosyltransferases.     

低聚果糖体内外对肠道菌的影响

目的 :了解低聚果糖 (FOS)体内外对肠道菌双歧杆菌、类杆菌和肠杆菌科菌的增殖作用。方法 :FOS 1g/ (kg· bw· d) ,灌服 (ig)小鼠 ,连续 14 d后 ,取粪便 ,选择性培养基平板菌落计数法测各菌群。体外试验中 ,按 1%的 FOS添加到各人肠道分离菌培养液中 ,培养 2 4h后测其吸光度 A值和 p H值变化。结果 :ig FOS的小鼠肠道双歧杆菌和肠杆菌数量分别是 9.16± 0 .67和 8.3 3± 0 .70 (log10 N CFU/ g) ,高于对照组(P<0 .0 5)。 FOS体外对各肠道分离菌均有增殖作用 ,依大小分别是双歧杆菌、类杆菌和肠杆菌 ,其 A值分别增加了 0 .8～ 1.192、0 .80 2和 0 .198～ 0 .461,其 p H值分别降低了 1.5～ 1.68、1.2和 0 .2～ 0 .58。结论 :FOS体内外有相对选择性增殖双歧杆菌的作用 ,对类杆菌和肠杆菌也有调整作用     

Enzymatic synthesis of fructooligosaccharides with high 1-kestose concentrations using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology was used as an optimization tool for the production of short chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) using the commercial cellulolytic enzyme preparation, Rohapect CM. Three independent variables, temperature, concentrations of sucrose and enzyme were tested in the reaction medium. The responses of the design were, yield (gsc-FOS/100 g initial sucrose), 1-kestose (g/100 g sc-FOS) and volumetric productivity (gsc-FOS/Lh). Significant effects on the three responses included a quadratic effect (temperature), a linear effect (sucrose and enzyme concentrations) and an interaction between temperature and sucrose concentration. The cost-effective conditions to support the process in a high competitive market were 50 °C, 6.6 TU/mL enzyme, 2.103 M sucrose in 50 mM acetate buffer at pH 5.5, and the synthesis for a 5 h reaction time. Under these conditions, a high YP/S (63.8%), QP (91.9 g/Lh) and sGF2 (68.2%) was achieved.     

Dietary supplementation of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) improves the innate immune response, stress resistance, digestive enzyme activities and growth performance of Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus) fry

The present study investigated the effects of prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on the innate immune response, stress resistance, digestive enzyme activities, growth factors and survival of Caspian Roach (Rutilus rutilus) fry. After acclimation, fish (0.67 ± 0.03 g) were allocated into 12 tanks (50 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet or diets containing 1%, 2% or 3% FOS. At the end of the trial (7 weeks), humoral innate immune parameters (serum Ig levels, lysozyme activity and alternative complement activity (ACH50)), resistance to salinity stress (150 g L⁻¹), digestive enzyme activities (amylase, lipase and protease) and growth factors (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), and condition factor) were assessed. At the end of the study the innate immune responses (Ig levels, lysozyme activity and ACH50) were significantly higher in 2% and 3% FOS fed fish (P < 0.05), whereas, 1% dietary FOS only elevated serum lysozyme activity. All dietary FOS levels significantly increased resistance to a salinity stress challenge (P < 0.05) and highest survival was observed in the 3% FOS group. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were significantly elevated with increasing levels of dietary FOS (P < 0.05). Subsequently, elevated growth performance (final weight, SGR and FCR) was observed in roach fed 2% and 3% FOS compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that FOS can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving the immune response, stress resistance, digestive enzyme activities and growth performance of Caspian roach fry.     

高效液相色谱法同时测定 保健食品中低聚果糖和低聚木糖

目的建立高效液相色谱法同时测定保健食品中低聚果糖(包括蔗果三糖、蔗果四糖及蔗果五糖)和低聚木糖(包括木二糖、木三糖、木四糖、木五糖、木六糖及木七糖)的含量。方法采用键合有酰胺官能团杂化填料的色谱柱,以乙腈和水为流动相,利用亲水保留色谱机制(HILIC)实现对低聚果糖和低聚木糖各单体的有效分离,结合示差检测以外标法定量。该方法同时利用木糖对低聚木糖各单体转换系数进行定量。结果低聚果糖和低聚木糖各单体线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.998,平均加标回收率为95%以上,具有较高的准确度和良好的重现性。结论高效液相色谱法由于采用木糖对照品转换定量低聚木糖含量,减少低聚木糖各单体标准品在日常工作中的使用量,进而降低检测成本。该方法经济可靠,测定结果准确,适合于添加有低聚果糖和低聚木糖的功能性产品检测。     

Effects of synbiotic on growth,digestibility, immune and antioxidant performance in broilers

The overuse of in-feed antibiotics has been associated with serious issues, including the developing of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and causing drug residues in poultry products. To date, many countries have restricted the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in food animals, resulting in the increased need for effective alternatives to in-feed antibiotic. Synbiotics, which are composed of probiotics and prebiotics, have been shown to act synergistically when applied simultaneously. Thus, this study investigated the effects of a synbiotic, composed of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum (MLP) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS), on growth, immune and antioxidant parameters, and digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in broilers. A total of 168 newly hatched male broilers were randomly allotted to three dietary groups (n = 7): (1) a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON); (2) basal diet + synbiotic (SYN); and (3) basal diet + aureomycin (ANT). Compared with the CON, chickens had greater average daily gain and digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in the SYN group (P < 0.05). In the SYN and ANT group, serum IgA, IgG, and IL-10 levels were higher, while the serum TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 levels were reduced (P < 0.05) compared to CON. Compared with CON, the level of serum malondialdehyde was lower (P < 0.05) and SOD level was higher (P < 0.05) in either SYN or ANT group. No significant differences in populations of Escherichia coli were seen in chickens among the three groups, whereas, the populations of Lactobacillus were higher (P < 0.05) in chickens in the SYN group compared with those in CON and ANT groups. Taken together, the addition of SYN, consisting of MLP and FOS, had benefits on growth, immune and antioxidant parameters, and digestibility of calcium and phosphorus, indicating its potential to serve as a substitute for antibiotics in broiler feeding.     

In vitro anaerobic incubation of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and laying hen cecal bacteria in poultry feed substrates and a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combining a prebiotic with poultry feeds on the growth of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (ST) in an in vitro cecal fermentation system. Cecal contents from three laying hens were pooled and diluted to a 1:3000 concentration in an anaerobic dilution solution. The cecal dilution was added to sterile test tubes filled with alfalfa and layer ration with and without fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Two controls containing cecal dilutions and anaerobic dilution solution were used. The samples were processed in the anaerobic hood and incubated at 37 degrees C. Samples were inoculated with Salmonella at 0 and 24h after in vitro cecal fermentation and plated at 0 and 24h after inoculation with ST. Plates were incubated for 24h and colony forming units (CFU) enumerated. The samples immediately inoculated with ST without prior cecal fermentation did not significantly lower ST counts 24h later. However, samples pre-incubated for 24h with cecal microflora prior to ST inoculation exhibited reduced ST CFU by approximately 2 logarithms, with the most dramatic decreases seen in alfalfa and layer ration combined with FOS. The addition of FOS to feed substrate diets in combination with cecal contents acted in a synergistic manner to decrease ST growth only after ST was introduced to 24h cecal incubations.     

Biochemical characterization and evaluation of invertases produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAT-1 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa for the production of fructooligosaccharides

Abstract

Invertases are used for several purposes; one among these is the production of fructooligosaccharides. The aim of this study was to biochemically characterize invertase from industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAT-1 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from Cerrado soil. The optimum pH and temperature were 4.0 and 70?°C for Rhodotorula mucilaginosa invertase and 4.5 and 50?°C for Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase. The pH and thermal stability from 3.0 to 10.5 and 75?°C for R. mucilaginosa invertase, respectively. The pH and thermal stability for S. cerevisiae CAT-1 invertase from 3.0 to 7.0, and 50?°C, respectively. Both enzymes showed good catalytic activity with 10% of ethanol in reaction mixture. The hydrolysis by invertases occurs predominantly when sucrose concentrations are ≤5%. On the other hand, the increase in the concentration of sucrose to levels above 10% results in the highest transferase activity, reaching about 13.3?g/L of nystose by S. cerevisiae invertase and 12.6?g/L by R. mucilaginosa invertase. The results demonstrate the high structural stability of the enzyme produced by R. mucilaginosa, which is an extremely interesting feature that would enable the application of this enzyme in industrial processes.     

Purification and properties ofβ-fructofuranosidase fromAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524

Summary Purification and properties of two -fructofuranosidases, which produce 1-kestose (1^F--fructofuranosyl-sucrose) from sucrose, fromAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524 are reported. The enzymes were purified to homogeneity by fractionations involving ethanol, calcium acetate and ammonium sulfate and DEAE-Cellulofine and Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Molecular weights of the enzymes were estimated to be about 318000 (P-1) and 346000 (P-2) daltons by gel filtration. The enzymes were glycoproteins that contained about 30% (w/v) (P-1) and 53% (w/v) (P-2) carbohydrate. The optimum pH for the enzymatic reactions were 4.5–5.5 (P-1) and 4.5–6 (P-2). The enzymes were stable over a wide pH range (4–9). The optimum reaction temperatures for both enzymes were 50–55°C and they retained more than 94% (P-1) and 98% (P-2) activities at 50°C after 15 min. TheK _m values for sucrose were 0.47 M (P-1) and 0.65 M (P-2). The enzymes were inhibited by mercury, copper and lead ions as well asp-chloromercuribenzoate.     

Production of a fructosyl-transferring enzyme byAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524

Summary Production of a fructose-transferring enzyme byAureobasidium sp. ATCC 20524 and reaction conditions for the production of fructooligosaccharide, isokestose, were studied. The maximum total enzymatic activity of culture broth was 103.2 U/ml. The optimum reation pH and temperature of intracellular enzyme was 5–6 and 50°C, respectively.