carbohydrates for nutrition and health - Carbohydrate Competence ...

highlights of demand-driven carbohydrate research
carbohydrate structure and functionality
WP 12 novel carbohydrate-protein conjugates through
chemo enzymatic synthesis
Dr. Carmen Boeriu
WP 12 cooperation:
AVEBE, Royal FrieslandCampina,
University of Groningen, Wageningen UR,
TNO Healthy Living
Towards a healthier and sustainable society
This work package aims to produce a new class of block bio-polymers by cross linking
proteins with carbohydrates of various size, structure and number of oligosaccharide
units. Structural and functional characterization of these carbohydrate-protein conjugates
will tell us more about the structure-function relationships.
‘We were approached by industry,’ explains dr. Carmen Boeriu, senior scientist Food &
Bio-based Research Wageningen UR, ‘to investigate the possibility of modifying proteins
for new or improved applications. The modifications should take place in a food-grade
process.’
Better products make a better market share
‘Results will enable the industry to design and produce new functional materials derived
from proteins and carbohydrates and to fine-tune the properties of the products to
specific applications in the food and non-food industry,’ Boeriu continues. ‘The economic
value of this project is the production of new bio-polymers. By enhancing the properties
of these bio-polymers or finding new properties, the industry can increase its market
share. In addition, better products will be available. The scientific challenge is to develop
new techniques for improved biopolymer characterization, to study how certain changes
in occurring in the protein relate to the enhanced or new properties.’
Results enable the industry to design and produce new materials
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