The project aims to develop an innovative mechanoenzymatic process for the selective and sustainable production of glucose disaccharides such as sophorose, laminaribiose, and gentiobiose. By combining mechanical energy input in a temperature-controlled ball mill with the high selectivity of β-glucosidases, the project seeks to overcome the current limitations of classical enzymatic methods, including low yields, product mixtures, and high solvent requirements. The work focuses on establishing the process, developing an HPLC-based analytical method for product quantification, and optimizing key parameters such as milling frequency, temperature, and water activity.

To investigate the effectiveness of the synthesized disaccharides with regard to their prebiotic and health-promoting properties, mouse colon organoids will be treated with Akkermansia muciniphila in combination with the selected disaccharides. The project thus contributes to sustainable process development in line with the principles of green chemistry and opens new perspectives for applications in the bioeconomy, food technology, and pharmaceutical biotechnology.