Fructooligosaccharides
Aliases: Oligofructose or Fructooligosaccharides
Main Components: Fructooligosaccharides are usually a mixture of 1 - 3 fructosyl groups combined with the fructosyl group in sucrose through β(2-1) glycosidic bonds to form compounds such as 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F-β-fructofuranosylnystose.
Appearance: Generally, it is a white or slightly yellow powder, and it also exists in liquid form.
Main Components: Fructooligosaccharides are usually a mixture of 1 - 3 fructosyl groups combined with the fructosyl group in sucrose through β(2-1) glycosidic bonds to form compounds such as 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F-β-fructofuranosylnystose.
Appearance: Generally, it is a white or slightly yellow powder, and it also exists in liquid form.
- Sweetness: The sweetness of fructooligosaccharides is relatively low, approximately 0.3 - 0.6 times that of sucrose. It has a refreshing sweetness, a pure taste, and no peculiar smell or unpleasant aftertaste.
- Solubility: It is easily soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is clear and transparent. It has good solubility and stability under both low and high temperature conditions.
- Moisture Retention: It has certain hygroscopicity and moisture retention properties, which can retain the moisture in products and extend the shelf life of products.
Fructooligosaccharides are widely present in various plants, such as chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, onion, garlic, banana, etc. Among them, chicory and Jerusalem artichoke are important raw materials for extracting fructooligosaccharides. They are rich in inulin, and inulin can be converted into fructooligosaccharides through processes such as enzymatic hydrolysis. Industrially, the production of fructooligosaccharides mainly adopts the microbial enzymatic method. Using sucrose as the substrate, the fructosyltransferase produced by specific microorganisms acts on sucrose, transferring the fructosyl group in the sucrose molecule to other sucrose or fructose molecules, thus synthesizing fructooligosaccharides.
Advantages
- Regulating Intestinal Flora: Fructooligosaccharides are a high-quality prebiotic. They can selectively promote the growth and reproduction of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus in the intestine, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, improve the intestinal microecological environment, and maintain the balance of the intestinal flora.
- Promoting Mineral Absorption: The short-chain fatty acids produced after being fermented by beneficial bacteria in the intestine can reduce the pH value of the intestine, acidify the intestinal environment, and are conducive to the dissolution and absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc.
- Regulating Blood Lipids: Fructooligosaccharides can reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine and promote the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, thereby reducing the content of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.
- Improving Blood Sugar: Fructooligosaccharides are hardly digested and absorbed by the human body, and will not cause a rapid increase in blood sugar. At the same time, they can also improve insulin sensitivity, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and is suitable for diabetics to consume.
- Enhancing Immunity: By regulating the intestinal flora, it stimulates the intestinal immune system, promotes the generation and activity of immune cells, thereby enhancing the body's immunity and improving the resistance to diseases.
