Wouldn't you like to make better use of plant polysaccharides?
Green (Saitama University Research Seed Collection 2025-25 p.93)
Keywords: polysaccharides, constituent sugars, sugar metabolism, functional foods, enzymatic degradation
Most of the biomass carbon (biologically derived carbon) on Earth exists as polysaccharides in plant cell walls, with cellulose being the most representative. The non-edible parts of plants are mostly polysaccharides from cell walls when moisture is removed. In addition to cellulose, plant cell walls contain pectin, arabinogalactan, glucomannan, and xylan. These have been recognized as "dietary fiber," but in recent years, their prebiotic effects in regulating gut microbiota have gained attention. There can be useful cell wall polysaccharides remaining in waste parts such as vegetable and fruit pomace and residues. We are researching how plants synthesize and metabolize various cell wall polysaccharides, while also being conscious of whether we can increase the production of useful polysaccharides or improve them to be of higher value. Additionally, we routinely investigate the structure and properties of polysaccharides and also prepare oligosaccharides through enzymatic degradation.
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Toshihisa Kotake, Professor Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, Field of Molecular Biology 【Recent Research Themes】 ● Research on glycan synthesis to improve the properties of glucomannan ● Research on the synthesis pathway and origin of the plant-specific sugar L-arabinose ● Research on the regulatory mechanisms of vitamin C synthesis in plant organisms
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【Appeal Points to the Industry】 ● Polysaccharides are difficult to handle, which means there is still room for exploration. ● Every vegetable, fruit, and grain contains polysaccharides in their cell walls, many of which are underutilized. ● Understanding the properties, structures, and molecular sizes of polysaccharides can expand their potential applications. ● Specific degradation or structural modifications may lead to new applications. ● Analysis of constituent sugars (types of sugars and their ratios) can be done relatively easily. 【Examples of Practical Applications and Utilization】 We contribute to the research of companies. We have the following achievements to date: ● Research on the structural analysis of cell wall polysaccharides (2 companies) ● Research on the preparation, purification, and degradation methods of polysaccharides (3 companies) ● Support for consultations including product development (3 companies)
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Synthesis and decomposition of glucomannan
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The Saitama University Open Innovation Center is a center that functions as a liaison office for industry-academia-government collaboration. It consists of three departments: the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Department, the Intellectual Property Department, and the Startup Support Department, each staffed with coordinators well-versed in various fields. The center's activities include solving technical challenges in companies, supporting the implementation of joint research, and conducting technology transfer aimed at introducing and utilizing Saitama University's intellectual property.
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