Bio-solvents change regioselectivity in the synthesis of disaccharides using Biolacta β-galactosidase

Bio-solvents are good alternative solvents that avoid the use of classical organic solvents when performing enzymatic reactions. A noticeably change in regioselectivity was observed in the synthetic behaviour of Biolacta β-galactosidase using bio-solvents derived from dimethylamide and glycerol as co-solvents. Under these conditions, the enzyme changes its well known tendency to produce β-(1→4) to β-(1→6) disaccharides. An evaluation of the bio-solvent concentration and the effects of the non proteic additives in commercially available Biolacta β-galactosidase was undertaken in order to optimize the reaction conditions to improve the yield of the β-(1→6) product.