A substrate for the detection of broad specificity α-l-arabinofuranosidases with indirect release of a chromogenic group

The synthesis of a compound containing a 4-nitrocatechol bound to two vicinal α-l-arabinofuranosyl moieties through a linker arm was achieved using a sulfate protecting group to facilitate selective alkylation of one aromatic hydroxyl. Several α-l-arabinofuranosidases displaying different selectivities were tested and a simple microtiter plate-based assay was developed. The observed resistance of the compound to α-l-arabinofuranosidase-mediated hydrolysis makes it suitable for the identification of enzymes that are able to accommodate bis-arabinofuranosylated moieties.