Method for producing alpha-1, 6-branched alpha-1, 4-glucans from sucrose

Abstract

Nucleic acid molecules which encode a branching enzyme from a bacterium of the genus Neisseria , vectors, host cell, plant cells and plants containing said nucleic acid molecules as well as starch obtainable from the plants described are described. Furthermore, an in-vitro method for producing α-1,6-branched α-1,4-glucans on the basis of sucrose and a combination of enzymes of an amylosucrase and a branching enzyme as well as the α-1,6-branched α-1,4-glucans obtainable by said method are described.

1 .- 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An in vitro method for the production of α-1,6-branched α-1,4-glucans with a desired degree of branching or a desired molecular weight comprising the steps of
 (a) incubating a sucrose containing solution with a branching enzyme and an amylosucrase, 
 (b) adjusting the ratio of amylosucrase units to branching enzyme units and 
 (c) isolating the resulting α-1,6-branched α-1,4-glucan. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said molecular weight is 100,000-1500×10 6 . 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said molecular weight is 100,000-1000×10 6 .