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Biosynthesis of Polysialic Acid and Sialyl-oligosaccharides and Their Potential Applications in Nutraceuticals

ZHENG Zhi-yong1,2,ZHAN Xiao-bei1,2,*,ZHU De-qiang1,ZHU Li2,WU Jiang-rong1,2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology,
    Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China;2. Jiangsu Rayguang Biotech Co. Ltd., Wuxi 214125, China
  • Online:2013-08-15 Published:2013-09-03
  • Contact: ZHAN Xiao-bei

Abstract:

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a linear homopolymer of α-2,8-linked (or α-2,9-linked) sialic acid residues that
covalently modify N-linked glycans on neural cell adhesion molecules. PSA has fine biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity
and biodegradable properties, and contributes to potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Sialyloligosaccharides
exist in brain ganglioside on the surface of neurons and glycoprotein molecules and have been proved
to be related to the improvement of human immunity and memory formation. Human milk contains abundant sialyloligosaccharides,
which have potential applications for the formulation of artificial milk for pregnant women and newborn
infants. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge of polysialic acid biosynthetic pathway and its production
conditions. Sialyl-oligosaccharides biosynthesis and their potential applications in food and health fields are also discussed.

Key words: polysialic acid, sialic acid, sialyl-oligosaccharides, food, applications, human health

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