Work

Hydrophobic-flexible rational modification strategy provides fructooligosaccharides activity from Aspergillus niger

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), linear fructose oligomers with health benefits, are synthesized through sucrose transfructosylation using fructosyltransferases (FTases). This study employed the computer-aided design to modify the hydrophobic-flexible active domain of Aspergillus niger FTases. Mutant 142P exhibited 22.56 % (45.55 μkat) higher than wild-type FTases, with optimal conditions, i.e, 55 °C, pH 5.0, and CO 2 + . Kinetic analysis reduced Km value (6.174 ± 0.15 M), attributed to weakened active domain-sucrose interactions. FOS conversion by 142P enhanced up to 0.17–29.20 %, yielding 14.92 % 1-Kestose, and 14.27 % Nystose. Molecular docking enhanced active domain flexibility (structural shift from green to red) and reduced glucose affinity as key factors boosting activity and FOS conversion. Hydrophobic-flexible modification proves effective for optimizing FTases in industrial applications. This strategy provides a scalable solution for tailoring Aspergillus niger enzymes to meet the growing demands of the prebiotic and functional food industries.

Source: LWT

DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118278