N,N′-Diacetylchitobiose

Diacetylchitobiose/Chitobiose, a dimer of β(1,4) linked N-acetyl-D glucosamine, is used as an alternative source of N-acetylglucosamine by some bacteria. It is used in fermentation research to study, differentiate and characterize chitobiose transporter systems and enzymes such as β-N-acetylglucosaminidase(s) and chitobiose phosphorylase(s).

In chitinolytic bacteria, such as Vibrio, Streptomyces and Serratia, N,N′-Diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc₂) is not only a major breakdown product of chitinase, but it is also the smallest substance that induces chitinase production. It can also be utilized as a carbon source by E. coli, which does not express chitinases, but is exposed to GlcNAc₂ produced by intestinal chitinolytic bacteria. In most organisms, the uptake of GlcNAc₂ occurs via the phosphoenolpyruvate:glycose phosphotransferase system (PTS). GlcNAc₂ has also been used as a substrate or inhibitor to study the activity of glycolytic enzymes.

Prepared by the method of Barker, S.A., et al., J. Chem. Soc., 2218 (1958).

To gain a comprehensive understanding of our extensive range of Disaccharides for your research, we encourage you to visit our Carbohydrates Category page.