Perspectives on the biotechnological production and potential applications of lactosucrose: A review

• Lactosucrose synthesis involves transgalactosylation or transfructosylation reactions.
• Levansucrase, β-fructofuranosidase and β-galactosidase are catalysts of lactosucrose.
• Several physiological benefits are associated with the consumption of lactosucrose.
• Lactosucrose has been widely used in the preparation of functional foods.
• Additional studies are needed to classify lactosucrose as prebiotic.

Lactosucrose is a synthetic trisaccharide composed of galactose, glucose and fructose. This compound is obtained through enzymatic synthesis using lactose and sucrose as substrates. The enzymes involved in the process are able to catalyse both hydrolysis and transfer reactions. The yield and productivity of the process are usually affected by the occurrence of parallel hydrolysis of the newly formed product (lactosucrose). Therefore, it is important to find efficient strategies to avoid or minimize product degradation. Furthermore, in the last decades the demand for lactosucrose has significantly increased. This compound is considered a potential prebiotic and several beneficial effects associated to its consumption have been described. As a result, it has been included in the formulations of functional foods. This review covers the most relevant information about lactosucrose, including its synthesis and purification, beneficial effects at physiological level, and also its potential applications.