A method of preparing the sugar 1,5-D-anhydrofructose is described. The
method comprises treating an .alpha.-1,4-glucan with an .alpha.-1,4-glucan
lyase wherein the enzyme is used in substantially pure form. In a
preferred embodiment, if the glucan contains links other than and in
addition to the .alpha.-1,4-links, the .alpha.-1,4-glucan lyase is used in
conjunction with a suitable reagent that can break the other links.