Nojirimycin and d-glucono-1,5-lactone as inhibitors of carbohydrases

Abstract Nojirimycin and d -glucono-1,5-lactone are powerful inhibitors of glucosidases, but poor inhibitors of exo-glucanases, endo-glucanases, and related enzymes. Nojirimycin can be used to differentiate between α-glucosidase and exo-α- d -glucanase, and between β-glucosidase and exo-β- d -glucanase. The structural similarity of the two inhibitors is discussed in relation to the mechanism of action of the enzyme types. Some data on d -glucal are included.