title: Review of Levan polysaccharide: From a century of past experiences to future prospects.
abstract: Levan is a fascinating β-(2,6)-linked fructose polymer with an unusual combination of properties characterized in this review. In nature, levan is synthesized from sucrose by a wide range of microorganisms and a few plant species. Bacterial levans often have molecular weights over 500,000Da, are commonly branched, and form compact nanospheres offering a broad spectrum of applications. The most relevant genetic, biochemical and structural aspects of the biosynthetic enzyme levansucrase are detailed. Optimization of parameters for levan production by intact bacteria and by the isolated enzyme is surveyed. The diversity of current and potential applications of levan is illustrated by a discussion of uses ranging from personal care and aquaculture to the medical and food industries.
authors.affiliation: IBSB, Department of Bioengineering, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: ebru.toksoy@marmara.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ebru Toksoy
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Öner
authors.affiliation: Enzyme Technology Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 e/ 150 and 190, PO Box 6162, Habana 10600, Cuba. Electronic address: lazaro.hernandez@cigb.edu.cu.
authors.forename: Lázaro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Montana Biopolymers Inc., 119 Cathcart Circle, Winnsboro, SC 29180, USA,. Electronic address: joan@polysaccharides.us.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Combie
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017756:Aquaculture; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D005630:Fructans; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D056692:Prebiotics; D020011:Protective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D045730:Soy Foods
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005630:Fructans; D056692:Prebiotics; D020011:Protective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C072599:levan; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; C021513:levansucrase
keywords: Fructan; Levan; Levansucrase; Polysaccharide