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Properties and applications of fructooligosaccharides

Apr. 11, 2022

As a unique health food, fructooligosaccharides have obvious effects on improving gastrointestinal function, reducing blood lipids, regulating body balance, and improving immunity. Therefore, it is widely used in health food, beverage, dairy candy and other food industries , the application prospect is very broad.

Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is a very important class of oligosaccharides, and it is an excellent water-soluble dietary fiber that exists widely in nature. Such as potatoes, onions, garlic, wheat, bananas and other plants or fruits with higher content.

Properties and applications of fructooligosaccharides

Physicochemical properties of fructooligosaccharides

1 Sweetness and taste: The sweetness of fructooligosaccharides with a purity of 50-60% is about 60% of the mass fraction of sucrose, and the oligofructose with a purity of 95% is only 30% of the mass fraction of sucrose, and the sweetness of sucrose is Refreshing, pure taste without any aftertaste.

2 Calorie value: The calorific value of fructooligosaccharides measured in vivo is only 1.5kcal/g, which is extremely low in calories.

3 Viscosity: In the range of 0-70℃, the viscosity of fructooligosaccharides is similar to that of isomerized sugars, but it decreases with the increase of temperature.

4 Water activity: The water activity of fructooligosaccharides is slightly higher than that of sucrose.

5 Moisturizing properties: The moisturizing properties of fructooligosaccharides are similar to those of sorbitol and caramel

6. The pH value is thermally stable: when the environmental pH value is neutral, fructooligosaccharides are very stable at 120 °C, similar to sucrose; under acidic conditions (PH=3), after the temperature reaches 70 °C, fructooligosaccharides are very easy Branch connection, the stability is significantly reduced.

7 Other processing characteristics: excellent solubility, non-coloring, shapeability, alkali resistance, aging resistance, etc. High temperature resistance, inhibition of starch aging, water retention and stability are all good, but non-hygroscopicity is poor.


Physiological function of fructooligosaccharides

1 Regulates the balance of the flora in the body and the high-efficiency bifidobacteria proliferation factor

Fructooligosaccharides are internationally recognized as a popular super bifidogenic factor. Experiments have shown that after the human body ingests a certain amount of fructooligosaccharides, the number of beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium in the human body can multiply by 10-100 times, and the organic acids produced at the same time such as acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, etc. Reduce the value, inhibit the growth and reproduction of exogenous pathogenic bacteria and inherent spoilage bacteria in the intestine, reduce the growth and accumulation of spoilage substances in the intestine, improve the intestinal environment, promote intestinal peristalsis, and prevent constipation and diarrhea.

2 Lower blood lipids and cholesterol

Fructooligosaccharide is an excellent water-soluble dietary fiber. Through the action of bifidobacteria in the intestine, FOS can ferment to produce propionic acid, hinder the synthesis of cholesterol, promote the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid, increase the excretion of bile acid, and can effectively reduce The amount of serum cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid has a good improvement effect on a series of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis caused by high blood lipids.

3 Promote the synthesis of vitamins and improve immunity

Fructooligosaccharides can promote the natural formation of a variety of vitamins and folic acid, produce a large number of immune substances such as S-TGA immune protein, effectively prevent bacteria from attaching to the host's intestinal mucosal tissue, and a large number of bifidobacteria can also produce intestinal immune cells. Strong stimulation increases the number of antibody cells, activates the activity of macrophages, and strengthens the human immune system.

4 Protect the liver

After bifidobacteria absorb fructooligosaccharides, they rapidly multiply and buy a spoilage bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium to act, reduce the generation of toxic metabolites, and quickly excrete toxic metabolites from the body, reduce the burden on the liver, and play a role in reducing the production of toxic metabolites. It can protect the liver, and the intake of fructooligosaccharides will not cause an increase in blood sugar levels and insulin.

5 Promote the absorption of minerals and the discharge of toxic waste from the intestines

Fructooligosaccharides have the effect of combining dietary fiber with metal ions. In the acidic environment of the large intestine, the solubility of calcium, magnesium, zinc and other minerals is increased, and its bioavailability is also improved. Fructooligosaccharides can maintain the water in the intestinal wall, increase the water and acidity of the intestinal contents, and at the same time cultivate the bifidobacteria intestinal wall to form a protective barrier of the biofilm, thereby accelerating the peristalsis of the intestinal lumen and producing the defecation reflex, which is beneficial to the intestinal indole, nitroso The discharge of carcinogenic and toxic wastes such as amines.

6 Prevent obesity

The fructotriose and fructotetraose in fructooligosaccharides are not hydrolyzed by enzymes in human saliva and intestinal digestive enzymes, and are difficult to digest and absorb, and have low caloric value. Therefore, after ingesting fructooligosaccharides, it will not cause obesity.


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