Vol. 25, No. 3 (2026), Bio26834 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/Bio26834

Optimization of sonication-assisted extraction of α-L-fucosidase from Bifidobacterium spp. for the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides

 

Authors

M. E. Pavón-Chimal, S. Alatorre-Santamaría, F. Guzmán-Rodríguez, L. Gómez-Ruiz, G. Rodríguez-Serrano, A. Cruz-Guerrero

Abstract

Fucosylated oligosaccharides structurally related to human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are emerging as functional ingredients that can modulate gut microbiota and support immune development. Due to their limited availability from natural sources, microbial enzymatic synthesis offers a sustainable alternative. This study aimed to optimize the sonication-assisted extraction of intracellular α-L-fucosidase from Bifidobacterium spp. and evaluate its application in the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Cultivation with inulin as the sole carbon source increased α-L-fucosidase activity by 28-60% in B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. longum subsp. infantis. A Box-Behnken design identified optimal extraction conditions consisting of a 10 mL cell suspension, 50% amplitude, and 8 minutes of sonication, recovering approximately 35% of the whole-cell α-L-fucosidase activity. The resulting enzymatic extract catalyzed the synthesis of fucosylated di- and trisaccharides using pNP-fucose as donor and several acceptors, including lactose, lactulose, galactose, and fructose. The highest product concentration (61 mM) was obtained with fructose, yielding fucosyl-fructose, confirmed by MALDI-TOF/TOF and acid hydrolysis. These results demonstrate that optimized sonication conditions improved enzyme recovery within the evaluated experimental range while maintaining catalytic activity. This study highlights the potential of bifidobacterial α-L-fucosidase as a biocatalyst for the sustainable production of HMO-like oligosaccharides with possible applications in infant nutrition and health-related formulations.

Keywords

Fucosidase, Bifidobacteria, Sonication, fucosylated oligosaccharides.

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