Definition:

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NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides Health Benefits:

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides(GOS) are naturally occurring functional oligosaccharides that are found in trace amounts in animal milk. They are produced from lactose through the action of β-galactosidase, which splits the lactose into galactose and glucose. The resulting galactose is then transferred to the lactose molecule by galactosidase, producing GOS. GOS specifically promote the growth of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the intestines while inhibiting harmful bacteria. They are virtually indigestible, low in calories and have no effect on blood sugar levels. GOS are widely used in infant formula, dairy products, health foods, beverages and other foods, and are the only prebiotic approved for use in infant formula.

■ Source

NutuFibraz®Galacto-oligosaccharides(GOS) occur in extremely low concentrations in natural sources and have no industrial value. They can be found in trace amounts in foods such as breast milk, cow's milk, goat's milk, soybeans and konjac. Breast milk contains approximately 0.3-1.2 g/L of these substances, which are crucial for developing infant intestinal flora. However, the concentrations of GOS in natural raw materials are too low to be extracted on a large scale. Synthetic sources are therefore the only option for the food industry. These GOSs are produced using lactose (a low-cost, widely available by-product of milk processing) as the raw material in a β-galactosidase-catalysed transglycosylation reaction. The enzyme β-galactosidase hydrolyses some of the lactose to produce glucose and galactose, and then transfers the galactose residues to the unhydrolysed lactose molecules to form GOS.

Particularities of NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides:

Product Specifications:

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides is available in the following specification and contents:

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☑ NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides syrup 57%/70%/90%

Product quality standards:

● GB1903.27, Food grade, In-house

▶ Regulating the intestinal microbiome

▶ Comprehensive improvement of intestinal function

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides Applications:

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides(GOS) have many applications, including in food, health foods, dietary supplements and feed. Its core strength lies in its 'prebiotic+low sweetness and low calorie+heat and acid resistance' characteristics, which enable it to adapt to the functional requirements and processing technology of different products.

Galacto-oligosaccharides are most commonly used in the food sector. These are added to dairy products such as infant formula, yoghurt, beverages containing lactic acid bacteria, cheese and ambient milk. They enhance prebiotic function and create a synergistic effect with probiotics, improving intestinal health. Adding 0.3-1.5% galacto-oligosaccharides to infant foods mimics their function in breast milk, helping to establish the infant gut microbiome and reduce diarrhoea and constipation. In beverages, galacto-oligosaccharides can be formulated directly as concentrates or powders. Their low sweetness does not mask the original flavour, and they can partially replace sucrose to reduce calories. They are heat- and acid-resistant, making them suitable for beverage sterilisation in high-temperature and acidic environments.

When added to pastries and sweets, they replace 20%-50% of sucrose, improve product taste and increase dietary fibre content, thus aligning with the trend towards healthy baking. It is used in meat products and condiments to enhance flavour and mask unpleasant odours. It can also improve the water retention of meat products, allowing them to be labelled as 'gut-friendly'.

The health food and dietary supplement sector highlights the functional properties of galactooligosaccharides. Common dosage forms for gut health products include capsules, tablets, granules, oral liquids and probiotic compound preparations. These are often presented as single formulations (5-15%) or compound preparations combined with probiotics and dietary fibre. They are clearly labelled as regulating gut microbiota and improving bowel function and are suitable for people with chronic constipation and imbalanced gut microbiota. Dosage forms commonly used in blood sugar control and weight loss products include meal replacement powders, weight loss biscuits and blood sugar control oral liquids. These products do not raise blood sugar, are low in calories and meet the dietary needs of diabetic patients and individuals trying to lose weight. Bone health products often contain calcium and vitamin D to promote calcium absorption and improve the bioavailability of supplements. These products are targeted at the elderly, adolescents, and other groups with calcium needs.

In the feed industry, galactooligosaccharides are generally used to improve the gut microbiota of livestock and poultry. They reduce the diarrhoea rate (by 30%-50% in piglets), improve the feed conversion rate, promote growth, reduce the use of antibiotics and improve the quality of meat and eggs.

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, in the gut while inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella. These beneficial bacteria then metabolise the GOS to produce short-chain fatty acids, which lower the intestinal pH and create a healthy microecological environment in the gut. Long-term GOS intake can increase the proportion of beneficial bacteria to over 50%, thereby maintaining stable gut microbiota balance.

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides(GOS) can increase stool volume, promote intestinal peristalsis and effectively relieve constipation. In people with chronic constipation, there is an improvement rate of over 60%. GOS can enhance the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, reducing the entry of undigested food molecules or allergens into the bloodstream and lowering the risk of intestinal inflammation. GOS can regulate intestinal peristalsis rhythm and improve diarrhoea by reducing its frequency.

▶ Boosting immunity

The gut is the largest immune organ in the human body, and maintaining a balanced gut microbiota is key to stimulating the development and maturation of the intestinal mucosal immune system. NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides(GOS) enhance the activity of immune cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes, thereby improving the body's resistance to pathogens. They can also reduce intestinal inflammation, thereby lowering the risk of allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. They are particularly effective at building immunity in infants and young children.

☑ NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides powder 57%/70%/90%

■ Physical and chemical properties

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides are white or pale yellow, odourless powders that are moderately hygroscopic and flow easily. They are highly soluble in water, with a solubility of at least 80% at 25°C, producing clear, transparent solutions without precipitation. They are heat-resistant, remaining stable even after sterilisation at 121°C for 30 minutes, and acid-resistant, remaining stable within a pH range of 2.5-7.0. This makes them perfectly suited to pasteurisation, high-temperature sterilisation and acidic beverage processing. They are only 20%-40% as sweet as sucrose, providing a mild, pure sweetness with no aftertaste. This allows them to partially replace sucrose and improve the taste of food. With approximately 1.5 kcal/g, they contain only one-third of the calories of sucrose and do not affect blood glucose levels, making them suitable for diabetics and those trying to control their weight. At a sugar content of 75 Brix, galacto-oligosaccharides have a slightly higher viscosity than sucrose. Furthermore, viscosity gradually decreases with increasing temperature. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) undergo a Maillard reaction when heated, making them ideal for giving foods a grilled colour. The water activity of galacto-oligosaccharides is similar to that of sucrose, reaching 0.85 at a concentration of 67%. Water activity decreases with increasing concentration.

▶ Promotes nutrient absorption

NutuFibraz®Galactooligosaccharides(GOS) can enhance the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. They can increase calcium absorption by 20-30%, which contributes to bone health. GOS can also help the intestines to synthesise and absorb vitamins (such as B vitamins and vitamin D), thereby supplementing the body's nutritional needs. Furthermore, GOS can enhance the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes, thereby improving the digestibility and utilisation of proteins and carbohydrates.

■ Production technology characteristics

Richtek selects food-grade lactose with a purity level of at least 98% and removes impurities such as protein and ash. The lactose is then added to deionised water and stirred until it has dissolved to create a 30-40% aqueous lactose solution. The pH is then adjusted to between 6.0 and 7.0 using either sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid. The mixture is then heated to between 45 and 55°C and left to stand.

β-galactosidase (usually a food-grade enzyme derived from either Aspergillus oryzae or Bacillus subtilis) is then added at a concentration of between 0.2% and 0.5% by weight of the lactose. The reaction is stirred at a constant temperature of 45-55°C while monitoring the galacto-oligosaccharide content. Once the total galacto-oligosaccharide content has reached ≥50%, the reaction is stopped by heating to 85-90°C for 20 minutes to inactivate the enzyme. Insoluble impurities, such as enzyme proteins and colloids, are then removed by ceramic membrane filtration or a plate-and-frame filter press. Then, add 0.3-0.8% food-grade activated carbon to the filtrate. Stir at 50-60°C for 30 minutes and filter to remove the activated carbon. This yields a colourless, transparent filtrate. A combination of cationic and anionic ion exchange resins is then used to remove monosaccharides such as glucose and galactose, as well as trace salts. For a higher purity level (≥90%), gel filtration chromatography can be added. Filter through a 0.1 μm precision filter membrane to ensure the filtrate is free of impurities and meets food-grade purity requirements. Vacuum concentrate the purified solution to produce an extract with a solids content of 75-80%. Spray drying is then performed with atomisation, followed by instant drying by contact with hot air, to yield a uniform powder. The dried powder is then sieved through an 80-100 mesh sieve to remove agglomerated particles and ensure a uniform particle size distribution.