Definition:

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NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides Health Benefits:

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides(XOS) are functional oligosaccharides composed of two to seven xylose molecules linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. They are a type of water-soluble dietary fibre and are recognised as high-quality prebiotics. They selectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, in the gut, while inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. XOS are not broken down by human digestive enzymes, they provide almost no calories and they do not cause fluctuations in blood sugar. XOS are widely used in food and health products, animal feed and pharmaceuticals.

■ Source

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides are primarily found in plant cell walls, particularly in agricultural and forestry waste products such as corn cobs, wheat bran, cottonseed hulls, sugarcane bagasse and birch wood. Most commercially available xylooligosaccharides are currently produced through industrial processing using natural raw materials rich in xylan as a base and undergoing processes such as enzymatic hydrolysis.

Particularities of NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides:

Product Specifications:

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

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☑ NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides syrup 95%/70%

Product quality standards:

● GB/T 23528.3, Food grade, In-house

▶ Regulating the intestinal microbiome

▶ Gut health

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides Applications:

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides have three core advantages:prebiotic properties, low calories and resistance to processing. They are widely used in food, health products and feed, with a core focus on gut health-related functions. They can be adapted to different scenarios.

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides are widely used in the food industry to balance functionality and taste. In beverages, they replace some sucrose, reducing calories, and are combined with probiotics to enhance their effects. They are marketed as regulating gut microbiota and being sugar-free. In dairy products, they serve as food for probiotics, promoting their colonisation in the gut and improving the flavour of dairy products by masking some of the sourness from fermentation. In baked goods, they replace 5-20% of sucrose, reducing calories, improving dough water retention and extending shelf life while providing gut-friendly benefits. They are also used in other product types, such as infant formula, rice cereal and fruit purée, health food ingredients (e.g. gut health supplements) and condiments, to meet the gut health needs of specific populations (e.g. infants and the elderly) or to achieve low-sugar functionality in condiments.

In the health and dietary supplement sector, NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides are used for their specific functional properties. The main dosage forms are capsules, tablets, granules (powdered drinks), oral liquids and compound prebiotic powders. These are often combined with probiotics (such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus), dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. Key claims include regulating gut microbiota, alleviating constipation and diarrhoea, boosting immunity and assisting in blood sugar regulation (making them suitable for diabetic patients). The target population includes people with constipation or diarrhoea, those with intestinal dysfunction, diabetic patients, the elderly and those with weakened immunity.

In the animal feed industry, xylooligosaccharides are used primarily to replace antibiotics. They improve gut health in animals, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibit harmful bacteria, reduce diarrhoea and intestinal diseases, improve feed conversion rates and promote growth. In the pharmaceutical industry, they can be used as an adjunct treatment for intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, or as a low-calorie, no-glycemic-effect filler and sweetener in pharmaceutical preparations. In the pet food industry, they can improve gut health in pets, reduce diarrhoea and constipation, and alleviate bad breath by indirectly improving the oral environment through balancing gut microbiota.

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides can selectively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, particularly Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, increasing their proportion in the gut microbiota to over 80%. They can also inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, reducing the production of toxic metabolites such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide by Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. This lowers the risk of intestinal inflammation. They can also promote the metabolism of the gut microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid. These fatty acids provide energy for intestinal epithelial cells and repair the intestinal mucosal barrier.

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides can relieve constipation. They promote intestinal peristalsis, increase stool volume and improve stool moisture, making bowel movements smoother. They are especially suitable for people with chronic constipation. Xylooligosaccharides can also alleviate diarrhoea. Once the intestinal mucosal barrier has been repaired, harmful substances are less likely to stimulate the gut, and balanced gut microbiota can reduce intestinal sensitivity, relieving functional diarrhoea. Furthermore, xylooligosaccharides can alleviate intestinal discomfort and reduce symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain. They can also improve bloating caused by indigestion.

▶ Boosting immunity

The gut is the largest immune organ in the human body. When the intestinal mucosal barrier is intact and the gut microbiota is balanced, the entry of undigested food molecules or allergens into the bloodstream is reduced, thereby lowering the risk of allergies and autoimmune diseases. The beneficial bacterial metabolites produced by NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides can stimulate immune cell activity (such as that of macrophages and lymphocytes), enhance the body's resistance to pathogens and reduce the incidence of diseases such as colds and intestinal infections.

☑ NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides powder 95%/70%/50%/35%

■ Physical and chemical properties

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides are readily soluble in water, with solubility increasing with temperature. They also exhibit strong stability in aqueous solutions. Xylobiose, a type of xylooligosaccharide, has a sweetness equivalent to 40% of sucrose, while 50% pure xylooligosaccharides have a sweetness equivalent to 30% of sucrose. After being rotated at 100°C for 20 minutes, the composition remains almost unchanged at pH 2.3-8.0. Compared to sucrose, they have weaker colouring properties but a stronger aroma after baking. Xylobiose has the lowest water activity among xylooligosaccharides, similar to glucose. The average calorific value of xylooligosaccharides is 3.4 kcal/g; however, xylobiose and xylotriose have a value of 2 kcal/g, classifying them as low calorie. Compared to other oligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides have the lowest viscosity.

▶ Regulating metabolism and weight management

NutuFibraz®Xylooligosaccharides provide almost no calories and are not digested or absorbed by the human body. They are also not converted into fat for storage. They are a suitable substitute for sweeteners or a dietary supplement for people trying to lose or control their weight. Xylooligosaccharides can enhance satiety and promote a balanced gut microbiota, which regulates the secretion of appetite-related hormones such as leptin and ghrelin. This reduces overeating and aids weight control indirectly. Xylooligosaccharides do not affect blood sugar levels and are not broken down into glucose. Therefore, they will not cause a rise in blood sugar in diabetic patients and may even help to improve imbalances in their gut microbiota.

■ Production technology characteristics

The production process of xylooligosaccharides involves selecting raw materials, such as corn cobs and wheat bran. These are then crushed and screened (20-40 mesh) to remove impurities and coarse fibres, thereby increasing the xylan content. The xylan in the raw materials is then dissolved into a solution using hot water extraction or dilute alkali extraction, followed by filtration and centrifugation to obtain a crude xylan extract. Xylanase is then added to the extract and the mixture undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis for 4-8 hours at 50-60°C and pH 4.5-5.5. This degrades the xylan into 2-7 molecules of xylooligosaccharides. Activated carbon decolourisation and ion-exchange resin desalting are then employed to remove impurities, monosaccharides (xylose) and polysaccharides from the hydrolysate, thereby improving the purity of the xylooligosaccharides. The purified solution is then vacuum concentrated to a final concentration of 60-70%, after which it is spray dried or freeze dried to produce a powdered product. For syrup-type products, the concentrated solution can be packaged directly.