Enzymatic Synthesis and Characterization of Different Families of Chitooligosaccharides and Their Bioactive Properties

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are homo- or hetero-oligomers of D-glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) that can be obtained by chitosan chitin hydrolysis. Their enzymatic production is preferred over other methodologies (physical, chemical, etc.) due to the mild conditions required, fewer amounts waste its efficiency control product composition. By properly selecting enzyme (chitinase, chitosanase nonspecific enzymes) substrate properties (degree deacetylation, molecular weight, etc.), it possible direct synthesis towards any three COS types: fully acetylated (faCOS), partially (paCOS) deacetylated (fdCOS). In this article, we review main strategies steer a specific group. The chemical characterization advanced techniques, e.g., high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, critical for structure–function studies. scaling processes synthesize mixtures difficult low solubility chitin/chitosan, heterogeneity reaction mixtures, high salts. Enzyme immobilization help minimize such hurdles. bioactive herein reviewed. Finally, anti-inflammatory activity was assayed in murine macrophages after stimulation lipopolysaccharides.