The present disclosure is directed to the properties of certain glycosyltransferase variants having N-terminal truncation deletions or internal deletions. Any of the mutants disclosed in here exhibit alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase enzymatic activity in the presence of CMP-activated sialic acid as co-substrate, and in the presence of a suitable acceptor site. A fundamental finding documented in the present disclosure is that these enzymes are not only capable of catalyzing transfer of a sialidyl moiety but they are also capable of catalyzing hydrolytic cleavage of terminally bound sialic acid from a glycan.

The present disclosure is directed to the properties of certain glycosyltransferase variants having N-terminal truncation deletions or internal deletions. Any of the mutants disclosed in here exhibit alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase enzymatic activity in the presence of CMP-activated sialic acid as co-substrate, and in the presence of a suitable acceptor site. A fundamental finding documented in the present disclosure is that these enzymes are not only capable of catalyzing transfer of a sialidyl moiety but they are also capable of catalyzing hydrolytic cleavage of terminally bound sialic acid from a glycan.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more steviol glycosides which composition comprises nitrogen in an amount of no more than about 1000 ppm. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution. The invention also relates to a method for reducing the nitrogen content of a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition which comprises nitrogen; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution, thereby to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the steviol glycoside composition.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising one or more steviol glycosides which composition comprises nitrogen in an amount of no more than about 1000 ppm. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution. The invention also relates to a method for reducing the nitrogen content of a steviol glycoside composition, which method comprises: providing a steviol glycoside composition which comprises nitrogen; combining the steviol glycoside composition with water to form a steviol glycoside solution; and crystallizing a steviol glycoside composition from the solution, thereby to reduce the amount of nitrogen in the steviol glycoside composition.

The present invention relates to the production of steviol glycoside rebaudiosides D4, WB1 and WB2 and the production of rebaudioside M from Reb D4.

The subject invention provides methods of producing advantageous microbes and/or by-products using a modified form of solid-state fermentation, or matrix fermentation. In particular, the methods utilize foodstuff mixed with liquid nutrient medium to produce a three-dimensional scaffold substrate having ample surface area on which the microbes can grow. The methods can be used to cultivate yeasts, fungi and bacteria at high concentrations without susceptibility to total contamination. The subject invention can be used in remote locations and can be transported with ease.

The present disclosure relates to a recombinant microorganism for producing crocin in which a gene (CCD2) encoding carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase, a gene (aldH) encoding crocetin dialdehyde dehydrogenase and a gene (UDP-glycosyltransftrase, UGT) encoding crocin biosynthesis enzyme are introduced, and a method for producing crocin using the same. Compared with the conventional method for producing crocin, which is produced in small amounts through a part of plants or callus, the production method using the recombinant microorganism of the present disclosure enables mass production of crocin.

The present disclosure relates to a recombinant microorganism for producing crocin in which a gene (CCD2) encoding carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase, a gene (aldH) encoding crocetin dialdehyde dehydrogenase and a gene (UDP-glycosyltransftrase, UGT) encoding crocin biosynthesis enzyme are introduced, and a method for producing crocin using the same. Compared with the conventional method for producing crocin, which is produced in small amounts through a part of plants or callus, the production method using the recombinant microorganism of the present disclosure enables mass production of crocin.

Compositions containing monoester derivatives of the primary alcohol residue of a sugar are generally disclosed herein, as well as their use as sweetness enhancers, bitterness maskers, sourness maskers, or astringency reducers, to improve the taste profile of a flavored article.

Compositions containing monoester derivatives of the primary alcohol residue of a sugar are generally disclosed herein, as well as their use as sweetness enhancers, bitterness maskers, sourness maskers, or astringency reducers, to improve the taste profile of a flavored article.