The Functions of 4-α-glucanotransferases and their use for the Production of Cyclic Glucans

a-α,4-D-glucans occur widely in nature in the form of glycogen and starch. Bacteria,lower eukaryotes and animals accumulate glycogen, whereas starch is characteristicof higher plants. While these two glucans are chemically the same, they differ instructure. particularly with respect to the number and organisation of the α-I,6-linkedbranches which they contain, and they differ in their molecular masses.