Scientists Develop Efficient Way to Produce Low-Calorie Sugar Alternative

Researchers have developed a highly efficient new method to produce tagatose, a rare sugar that closely resembles the taste of regular sugar while offering significant health advantages. The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, was led by scientists at Tufts University and focuses on using genetically engineered bacteria to make tagatose more affordable and accessible.

Tagatose occurs naturally in very small amounts in dairy products and some fruits, making traditional production methods costly and inefficient. To solve this, the research team engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to convert common glucose into tagatose using a newly identified enzyme from slime mold. This process achieves yields of up to 95%, far higher than existing techniques.

Tagatose provides about 92% of sugar’s sweetness but contains roughly 60% fewer calories and has minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Recognized as safe by the FDA, it also supports dental and gut health. Because it behaves like sugar in cooking and baking, tagatose could become a promising alternative to conventional sweeteners.

19-01-2026