What Is Cellobiose?

Cellobiose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules linked by a β-1,4-glycosidic bond, which is a partial hydrolysis product of cellulose and a sugar naturally found in plant cell walls. Compared with glucose alone, cellobiose is structurally more stable due to its two glucose molecules being tightly linked by glycosidic bonds. It is a special type of carbohydrate that isn't digested and absorbed by the human body, while it helps maintain normal intestinal function by stimulating intestinal peristalsis and promoting the movement of food in the digestive tract. Moreover, cellobiose is fermented by probiotics to produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which provide energy for intestinal cells to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

Fig.1 The structure of cellobiose. (Wikipedia)

Cellobiose Analysis Services at CD BioGlyco

• Chromatographic Analysis

Gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) are applied to separate and quantify cellobiose. The chromatographic analysis methods have simple sample pretreatment, small sample amount, and low detection limit, which is especially suitable for the detection of trace samples.

• Enzyme Analysis

It is a common method for determining the content of cellobiose. For example, cellobiose is hydrolyzed into monosaccharides using specific enzymes such as cellulase, galactase, and fructose, which are quantified using colorimetric methods.

• Biosensors Analysis

Cellobiose biosensors are constructed by enzymatic hydrolysis to achieve specific detection.

• Other Methods

Several other analytical methods are applied to cellobiose, for example, mass spectrometry (MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and electrophoresis, which provide information on the molecular weight, structure, and composition of cellobiose.

Fig.2 Cellobiose analysis service. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Paper Title: Real-time measurement of cellobiose and glucose formation during enzymatic biomass hydrolysis

Technology: Amperometric biosensors

Journal: Analytical Chemistry

IF: 8.008

Published: 2021

Results: Amperometric biosensors allow continuous measurement of cellobiose during enzymatic hydrolysis. The author employed an [Os(2,2'-bipyridyl)₂Cl] Cl-modified polymer and cellobiose dehydrogenase to fabricate a cellobiose biosensor, which can accurately and specifically detect cellobiose. In addition, the authors also used high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) method to simultaneously determine cellobiose. The results showed that the content of cellobiose determined by the biosensor was supported by HPLC analysis, while the effect of accumulation of exogenous substrates (cellobiose or glucose) should be considered in the real-time measurement process.

Fig.3 The process of amperometric biosensors. (Chang, et al., 2021)

Applications

• Food Industry: Cellobiose is used to develop nutritional supplements for people to supplement dietary fiber.
• Bioengineering: Cellobiose is often treated as a substrate or inducer for culturing specific cells or microorganisms. It promotes the production and secretion of cellulase, improving the efficiency of cellulose degradation.
• Pharmaceutical field: Cellobiose is used to develop bowel cleansers or as an ingredient in constipation treatment drug development.

Advantages

• CD BioGlyco has advanced equipment and technology, which provides accurate data and measurement results during the analysis process of cellobiose.
• CD BioGlyco has a complete quality management system to ensure the accuracy and reliability of cellobiose analysis results.
• Our experts provide technical support and professional consultation about cellobiose analysis services, including experimental design, optimization of modification schemes, and resolution of possible problems.

CD BioGlyco provides mature and accurate cellobiose analysis services for our clients, meanwhile, our experts also provide free advice on clients' projects. Please feel free to contact us in time if you want to know more about our services.

References:

1. Ren, R.; et al. Direct identification of disaccharide structural isomers using ambient ionization tandem mass spectrometry with in situ methylation. Analytical Chemistry. 2023, 95(4): 2213-2220.
2. Chang, H.; et al. Real-time measurement of cellobiose and glucose formation during enzymatic biomass hydrolysis. Analytical Chemistry. 2021, 93(21): 7732-7738.