Galacto-Oligosaccharide Synthesis by Transgalactosylation Activity of β-Galactosidase: Recent Trends, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The growing interest in functional foods and their beneficial effects on human health, yielded due interest in the field of obtaining novel bioactive ingredients featuring enhanced physiological and physical/chemical characteristics. Accordingly, the considerable attention of the scientific community during the last decades was attributed to β- galactosidase synthetic activity. Namely, under the specific conditions, β- galactosidase catalyzes reaction of transgalactosylation resulting in the formation of a diverse mixture of highly valuable products named galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). Owing to the specific structure, GOS are primarily recognized as products with the pronounced prebiotic activity and favorable impact on overall human well-being, however, their wide application in the food and pharmaceutical industry is additionally ensured by their high thermal and acid stability, excellent taste quality, low sweetness and caloric value. Throughout this chapter, different aspects related to the recent advances in GOS production and purification, as well as their application with emphasis on their prebiotic role, will be covered. Likewise, different challenges and future perspectives will be discussed