Enzymatic synthesis of two salicin analogues by reaction of salicyl alcohol with Bacillus macerans cyclomaltodextrin glucanyltransferase and Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-742CB dextransucrase Original Research Article

β-Salicin is a naturally occurring glycoside found in the bark of poplar and willow trees. Ancient man used it as an analgesic and antipyretic. It has a d-glucopyranose unit attached by a β-linkage to the phenolic hydroxyl of salicyl alcohol. Two new salicin analogues have been enzymatically synthesized by transglycosylation reactions: (a) by the reaction of Bacillus macerans cyclomaltodextrin glucanyltransferase with cyclomaltohexaose and salicyl alcohol, followed by reactions with alpha amylase and glucoamylase to give d-glucopyranose attached by an α-linkage to the phenolic hydroxyl of salicyl alcohol as the major product, α-salicin; and (b) by the reaction of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-742CB dextransucrase with sucrose and salicyl alcohol, followed by reactions with dextranase and glucoamylase to give α-d-glucopyranose attached to the primary alcohol hydroxyl of salicyl alcohol as the major product, α-isosalicin.