Suggested is method for producing galactooligosaccharides, comprising the following steps:

(i) Providing an aqueous milk sugar solution; (ii) Sterilising the milk sugar solution; (iii) Performing a transgalactosilation of the milk sugars present in the sterilised milk sugar solution of step (ii) by adding at least one beta-galactosidase within its optimum temperature and pH value intervals for a period of at least 30 minutes, obtaining a reaction mixture; (iv) Inhibiting the enzyme mass in the reaction mixture of step (iii), and (v) Confectioning the reaction mixture of step (iv), Wherein (a) The enzyme mass is wholly or partly inhibited by setting a pH value outside the activity optimum of the enzymes; (b) The reaction mixture, together with the inhibited enzyme mass, is subjected to filtration, obtaining a retentate (R1) and a permeate (P1); (c) The inhibited amount of enzymes is separated as a retentate (R1) and is fed back to step (iii); and (d) The permeate (P2) containing the galactooligosaccharides is passed on to step (v).

Synthetic oligosaccharides and mixtures thereof which resemble polysaccharides produced by plants, yeast and other fungi, bacteria, and algae are described. The oligosaccharides and compositions provided herein are useful as synbiotics, prebiotics, immune modulators, digestion aids, and food additives.

The present invention concerns a block copolymer having at least one oligo- or polysaccharide block and at least one elastin-like polypeptide block, wherein said block copolymer comprises at least one repetitive unit having the following formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R′ is the side chain of a natural or synthetic amino acid other than proline and derivatives thereof.

Provided herein are microalgal polysaccharide compositions and. Also provided are methods of using polysaccharides for applications such as topical personal care products, cosmetics, and wrinkle reduction compositions. The invention also provides novel microalgal compositions useful for improving the health and appearance of skin. The invention also includes insoluble polysaccharide particles for application to human skin.

Suggested is method for producing galactooligosaccharides, comprising the following steps: (i) Providing an aqueous milk sugar solution; (ii) Sterilising the milk sugar solution; (iii) Performing a transgalactosilation of the milk sugars present in the sterilised milk sugar solution of step (ii) by adding at least one beta-galactosidase within its optimum temperature and pH value intervals for a period of at least 30 minutes, obtaining a reaction mixture; (iv) Inhibiting the enzyme mass in the reaction mixture of step (iii), and (v) Confectioning the reaction mixture of step (iv), Wherein (a) The enzyme mass is wholly or partly inhibited by setting a pH value outside the activity optimum of the enzymes; (b) The reaction mixture, together with the inhibited enzyme mass, is subjected to filtration, obtaining a retentate (R1) and a permeate (P1); (c) The inhibited amount of enzymes is separated as a retentate (R1) and is fed back to step (iii); and (d) The permeate (P2) containing the galactooligosaccharides is passed on to step (v).

The present invention concerns a block copolymer having at least one oligo- or polysaccharide block and at least one elastin-like polypeptide block, wherein said block copolymer comprises at least one repetitive unit having the following formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R is the side chain of a natural or synthetic amino acid other than proline and derivatives thereof.

The present invention relates to biodegradable hydrophobic composite materials and a process for the preparation of said hydrophobic biodegradable materials from the seaweed polysaccharides through grafting reaction with vinylated monomers e.g. vinyl acetate. The said composites can be used as a substitute for synthetic ropes for varied applications including seaweed cultivation in the open sea. The results of cultivation experiments showed that ropes are suitable for cultivation of seaweeds in the sea environment, and exhibit higher biomass yield as compared to synthetic ropes. The prepared composites are very flexible and can be used for making handles for carry bags and for the preparation of biodegradable designs, bowls, pots, jars, gift items, stud caps and bracelets.

Disclosed is a therapy which is for preventing or treating cartilage damage and diseases associated with cartilage damage, such as arthritides and osteoarthritis, and utilizes a more effective and more safe medicinal agent. Specifically disclosed are a cartilage production promoter, a glucosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter, and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with cartilage damage, each of which comprises fucoidan as an active ingredient.

Synthetic oligosaccharides and mixtures thereof which resemble polysaccharides produced by plants, yeast and other fungi, bacteria, and algae are described. The oligosaccharides and compositions provided herein are useful as synbiotics, prebiotics, immune modulators, digestion aids, and food additives.