The function 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 characteristic of higher plants. While these two glucans are chemically the same, they differ in structure. particularly with respect to the number and organisation of the α-I,6-linked branches which they contain, and they differ in their molecular masses.