Engineered *E. coli* Achieves High-Yield Biosynthesis of Rare Sugar Tagatose

Researchers have engineered the bacterium *Escherichia coli* to function as an efficient microbial factory for producing tagatose, a rare sugar substitute with substantial potential for the food and beverage industry. This biotechnological development centers on a cost-effective biosynthetic method that converts readily available and inexpensive glucose into the desired product.

The engineered microbial system demonstrated high efficiency in laboratory settings, achieving conversion yields approaching 95%. This high yield directly addresses previous economic barriers to the sweetener's commercial viability, which was historically limited by high extraction and purification costs. Tagatose is structurally analogous to sucrose, offering comparable sweetness intensity while providing a nutritional advantage of containing approximately 60% fewer calories.

The development of this scalable, biosynthesis-based production route marks a critical inflection point for integrating this functional ingredient into the food supply chain. By leveraging glucose, a globally abundant carbohydrate, the economic feasibility for producing this high-value ingredient is transformed. The precision fermentation approach aligns with increasing consumer and regulatory preference for naturally derived ingredients produced via clean, enzymatic processes over traditional chemical synthesis.

Tagatose, a disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose, possesses a low glycemic response and a near-sucrose taste profile, distinguishing it from some sugar alcohols and high-intensity artificial sweeteners that can cause digestive or aftertaste issues. This combination of palatability and low caloric density positions it as a prime candidate for reformulating popular food and beverage items to align with global health initiatives regarding sugar intake.

The next phase of this development involves exploring the industrial application of the engineered *E. coli* strain, moving from laboratory bioreactors to pilot-scale industrial fermentation tanks. Successful commercialization will depend on maintaining the demonstrated high conversion efficiency and purity under large-volume operational conditions, paving the way for securing regulatory approvals across major international markets.