During the few last decades, there is increasing interest in the use of nutraceuticals or functional food additives for improving human health which has led to the development of new food and feed products during the last few decades. Many functional products, having prebiotic characteristics, such as xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), chitooligosaccharides (COS), alginate-oligosaccharides (AOS) have been extensively used as food and feed additives. Among these prebiotics, XOS is considered to be very promising. XOS are the degraded products prepared by chemical, physical, or enzymatic degradation of xylan derived from biomass materials such as sugarcane residues, corn cobs, rice straw, etc. They are composed of xylose units linked by β-1, 4-xylosidic bonds, which have a branched structure by the addition of different side groups.
Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are considered functional oligosaccharides and have great prebiotic potential. XOS are the degraded products of xylan prepared via chemical, physical or enzymatic degradation. They are mainly composed of xylose units linked by β-1, 4 bonds. XOS not only exhibit some specific physicochemical properties such as excellent water solubility and high-temperature resistance but also have a variety of functional biological activities including anti-inflammation, antioxidative, antitumor, antimicrobial properties, and so on. Numerous studies have revealed in recent decades that XOS can be applied to many food and feed products and exert their nutritional benefits. XOS has also been demonstrated to reduce the occurrence of human health-related diseases and improve the growth and resistance to diseases of animals. These effects open a new perspective on XOS's potential applications for human consumption and animal production.
So, what is xylooligosaccharide good for? Let’s explore the compelling reasons to integrate this prebiotic powerhouse into your diet.
1.Health benefits: Xylooligosaccharides are not completely digested and absorbed in the human body, so they can be used as prebiotics to provide nutrients for beneficial bacteria in the intestines and promote their growth and proliferation. This is beneficial to maintain the balance of intestinal flora, enhance immunity, and promote the absorption of nutrients.
2.Digestive tract health: Xylo-oligosaccharides can promote intestinal peristalsis, increase stool volume, and relieve constipation. At the same time, it also has the function of regulating the pH value of the intestinal tract, maintaining the acid-base balance of the intestinal tract, and preventing the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases.
3.Antibacterial effect: xylooligosaccharides have inhibitory effect on certain pathogenic bacteria, can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, reduce the damage of harmful bacteria to the intestinal tract, and maintain intestinal health.
4.Immunomodulation: Xylo-oligosaccharides can enhance the immune function of the human body, regulate the activity of immune cells, and improve the body's resistance to pathogenic microorganisms and the external environment.
5.Antioxidant properties: Xylooligosaccharides are rich in antioxidant substances, which can neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative damage, and help prevent cell aging and chronic diseases.
As it has already been reviewed, XOS is a novel emerging prebiotic that is widely used in cosmetics, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and others and largely in the food industry. Researchers are continually uncovering new connections between gut microbiota and overall health, with XOS at the forefront of this exploration. Future research may unlock even more benefits and applications for this fascinating prebiotic.
