Production of rubusoside derivatives by transgalactosylation of various β-galactosidases

Rubusoside derivatives by transgalactosylation of various β-galactosidases were isolated and their structures were analyzed. Escherichia coli β-galactosidase produced mainly 13-O-β-d-glucosyl-19-O-[β-d-galactosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucosyl]-steviol (RGal-2). Bacillus circulans β-galactosidase produced mainly 13-O-β-d-glucosyl-19-O-[β-d-galactosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucosyl]-steviol (RGal-1a) in the early stage of the reaction and then produced 13-O-[β-d-galactosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucosyl]-19-O-β-d-glucosyl-steviol (RGal-1b). With decreasing the amount of these products (RGal-1a and RGal-1b), RGal-2 was produced.