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Current studies on biological tagatose production using l-arabinose isomerase: a review and future perspective

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Abstract

d-Tagatose is a hexoketose monosaccharide sweetener, which is an isomer of d-galactose and is rarely found in nature. Recently, there has been industrial interest in d-tagatose as a low-calorie sugar-substituting sweetener. This article describes the properties and metabolism of tagatose as well as its commercial importance. The comparison between the biological tagatose production and the chemical production was reviewed based on the example of the glucose isomerization into fructose. The industrial problems facing its commercial application is described and evolving potential solutions are suggested.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks Prof. D.K. Oh, of Sejong University for the collaboration. Helpful suggestions and discussion by Dr. C. Vieille, of Michigan State University is also acknowledged. The author appreciates the partial financial support by the funding from the Catholic University of Korea (Research Fund 2004).

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  1. Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43-1 Yokkok2-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, 420-743, South Korea

    Pil Kim

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Kim, P. Current studies on biological tagatose production using l-arabinose isomerase: a review and future perspective. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 65, 243–249 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1665-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1665-8

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