What Is Fructooligosaccharide And What Are Its Uses?

Fructooligosaccharide , also known as fructooligosaccharide oligosaccharide. It is a kind of mixture with polymerization degree of 2 to 9, which connected through β-2,1-glycosidic bonds by short chain and medium-long chains -D-Fructan and fructosyl units. Fructooligosaccharides are stable in nature and have a sweetness of 40% to 60% of sucrose.

Fructooligosaccharides are mainly found in daily fruits and vegetables, such as onions, garlic, bananas, etc. Most of the natural and microbial enzymatically obtained fructo-oligosaccharides are linear, and are formed by combining β-1,2-glycosidic bonds with 1 to 3 fructose molecules, including 1-kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3), and 1-β-fructofuranosyl nystose (GF4). The sweetness of fructo-oligosaccharide is about 30% to 60% of that of sucrose.

It is difficult to be digested and absorbed by the human body. It is considered as a water-soluble dietary fiber, but it is easily utilized by Bifidobacterium coli and is a proliferation factor of Bifidobacterium. In addition, fructo-oligosaccharides cannot be used as a fermentation substrate by Streptococcus mutans to produce insoluble glucan, and do not provide a place for oral microorganisms to precipitate, produce acid, and corrode, so they can be used as an anti-caries sweetener.

Fructooligosaccharide cannot be broken down by digestive enzymes in the human body and is a low molecular weight water-soluble dietary fiber. Its main physiological functions include:

(1) Regulate intestinal flora

Fructooligosaccharides can be fermented by bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, etc. in the colon, stimulate the growth and reproduction of probiotics in the colon, and improve the balance of intestinal microecology. The intestinal flora ferment fructo-oligosaccharide and produce short-chain fatty acids, which are the basis for its functions of laxative, immune enhancement and colitis prevention.

(2)  Intestine-moistening and constipation-relieving

As a water-soluble dietary fiber, fructo-oligosaccharides can absorb water and soften excrement; on the other hand, short-chain fatty acids produced by fermentation of intestinal flora in fructo-oligosaccharides can lower intestinal pH, stimulates intestinal movement and facilitates defecation. Multiple clinical trials have shown that fructooligosaccharides can improve defecation in infants and the elderly.

(3) Low in calories and no increase blood sugar levels

Fructooligosaccharides cannot be broken down by digestive enzymes such as α-amylase, sucrose invertase and maltase, and cannot be used as the main source of energy so they will not cause large fluctuations in blood sugar. In addition, fructo-oligosaccharides promote mineral absorption.