The use of plant fibers for oligosaccharide production with libraries constructed by combinatorial enzyme technology

: Combinatorial chemistry involves the chemical or biological synthesis of libraries of the diverse structural population of a template molecule and the screening for the variants expressing desirable target properties. The approach has been a focus of research activity in modern drug discovery and biotechnology for accelerating the discovery and development of novel therapeutic and bioactive compounds. This review describes the application of combinatorial chemistry in enzyme technology as a novel technique and invention developed in our laboratory to construct oligosaccharide libraries in the conversion of plant fibers. The theory, mechanism, development, and application of this combinatorial enzyme approach are presented for the first time. The potential food and non-food uses of oligosaccharides are described. Citrus pectin and wheat insoluble fiber have been used as substrates for combinatorial enzyme reactions. Generation of libraries of structural variants of pectic oligosaccharides (oligoGalA) and feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOS) demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of the technique in the transformation of plant biomass to value-added products.

Cryophylactic Solution Based on Pectic Oligosaccharides for the Creation of New Dosage Forms

For the first time in a wide temperature range, the rheology of aqueous solutions of oligo-and polysaccharides obtained by the method of combined fractionation from the secondary phytomass of apple pomace and albedo pomelo has been studied. The values of the freezing point have been determined and the possibility of the practical use of oligosaccharides as components of special-purpose preparations in liquid dosage form has been shown. On the basis of oligosaccharides obtained by the method of combined fractionation from the secondary phytomass of apple pomace and albedo pomelo, cryophylactic media have been created for the first time, possessing physicochemical stability in a wide temperature range. The main rheological and temperature characteristics of the obtained compositions have been studied and the possibility of the practical use of oligosaccharides as components of medical preparations for special purposes in liquid dosage form has been shown.

Neuroprotective Potential of Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides: An Overview of Experimental Evidence

Non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) from dietary sources have the potential as prebiotics for neuroprotection. Globally, diverse populations suffering from one or the other forms of neurodegenerative disorders are on the rise, and NDOs have the potential as supportive complementary therapeutic options against these oxidative-linked disorders. Elevated levels of free radicals cause oxidative damage to biological molecules like proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids associated with various neurological disorders. Therefore, investigating the therapeutic or prophylactic potential of prebiotic bioactive molecules such as NDOs as supplements for brain and cognitive health has merits. Few prebiotic NDOs have shown promise as persuasive therapeutic solutions to counter oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals directly or indirectly. Furthermore, they are also known to modulate through brain-derived neurotrophic factors through direct and indirect mechanisms conferring neuroprotective and neuromodulating benefits. Specifically, NDOs such as fructo-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides, manno-oligosaccharides, pectic-oligosaccharides, and similar oligosaccharides positively influence the overall health via various mechanisms. Increasing evidence has suggested that the beneficial role of such prebiotic NDOs is not only directed towards the colon but also distal organs including the brain. Despite the wide applications of these classes of NDOs as health supplements, there is limited understanding of the possible role of these NDOs as neuroprotective therapeutics. This review provides important insights into prebiotic NDOs, their source, and production with special emphasis on existing direct and indirect evidence of their therapeutic potential in neuroprotection.