Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods to produce carbohydrate polymers and oligomers especially for pharmaceutical and food industries. The invention is directed to methods to remodel monosaccharides, and/or oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides by a different monosaccharide, oligosaccharide or polysaccharide and optionally by further alcohol substances, under condensing conditions, preferably in acid catalysed reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a therapeutical composition comprising purified fractions of compounds being or containing a pathogen-inhibiting oligosaccharide sequence for use as a medicament. The present invention especially describes an oligosaccharide-containing substance or receptor binding to diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and/or zoonotic Helicobacter species, and use thereof in, e.g., pharmaceutical, nutritional and other compositions for prophylaxis and treatment of conditions due to the presence of Escherichia coli and/or zoonotic Helicobacter species. The invention is also directed to the use of the receptors for diagnostics of Escherichia coli and/or zoonotic Helicobacter species.