Tagatose: properties, applications, and biotechnological processes

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2007 Aug;76(1):1-8. doi: 10.1007/s00253-007-0981-1. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

D-Tagatose has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to its health benefits and similar properties to sucrose. D-Tagatose can be used as a low-calorie sweetener, as an intermediate for synthesis of other optically active compounds, and as an additive in detergent, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulation. Biotransformation of D-tagatose has been produced using several biocatalyst sources. Among the biocatalysts, L-arabinose isomerase has been mostly applied for D-tagatose production because of the industrial feasibility for the use of D-galactose as a substrate. In this article, the characterization of many L-arabinose isomerases and their D-tagatose production is compared. Protein engineering and immobilization of the enzyme for increasing the conversion rate of D-galactose to D-tagatose are also reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aldose-Ketose Isomerases / metabolism*
  • Aldose-Ketose Isomerases / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Cosmetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Fungi / enzymology
  • Galactose / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Hexoses* / chemistry
  • Hexoses* / metabolism
  • Hexoses* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Industrial Microbiology*
  • Obesity / drug therapy

Substances

  • Cosmetics
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Hexoses
  • Aldose-Ketose Isomerases
  • L-arabinose isomerase
  • tagatose
  • Galactose