Effect of the reaction temperature on the transglycosylation reactions catalyzed by the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from Bacillus macerans for the synthesis of large-ring cyclodextrins

The synthesis of cyclodextrins with from 6 to more than 50 glucose units by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) from Bacillus macerans was investigated. Analysis of the synthesized cyclic α-1,4-glucan products showed that a higher yield of large-ring cyclodextrins were obtained with a reaction temperature of 60 °C compared to 40 °C. The yield of large-ring cyclodextrins obtained at 60 °C represented about 50% of the total glucans employed in the reaction. Analysis of the cyclodextrin-forming cyclization reaction and of the coupling reaction of the CGTase resulting in the degradation of mainly the larger cyclic α-1,4-glucans indicated higher rates of the cyclization reaction at 60 °C compared to 40 °C while the opposite was found for the coupling reaction.