Novel approaches for biotechnological production and application of L-arabinose

L-arabinose is found in biopolymers such as hemicellulose, pectin, arabinogalactan-protein complexes, and polysaccharides of exudate plant gums. Recent studies have revealed many possible applications of L-arabinose in the fields of pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. Novel approaches to obtain L-arabinose are focused on the utilization of lignocellulosic by-products, purified polysaccharides, and residual hydrolysates containing a mixture of sugars. L-arabinose can be released from lignocellulosic biomasses by acid-catalysed or enzymatic hydrolysis. L-arabinose-enriched solutions can be obtained from residual hydrolysates by yeast-mediated biopurification. The most promising, novel processes to obtain L-arabinose have combined the advantages of different methods but technological barriers still exist impeding the industrial implementation.