Glycosidases—a great synthetic tool

Glycosidases were used to prepare oligosaccharide structures of physiological and medicinal relevance. The study included an extensive screening of crude enzymatic preparations for α- and β-galactosidase, α- and β-mannosidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and α-l-fucosidase activities. The enzymes were assessed with respect to regioselectivity of glycosyl transfer on to carbohydrate acceptors. The purification procedures for individual biocatalysts are described in detail.