Search Results (18)

FOSs are short-chain fructose-based oligosaccharides with notable functional and health benefits. Naturally present in various fruits and vegetables, FOSs are primarily produced enzymatically or microbially from sucrose or long-chain fructans, namely, inulin. Enzymes such as fructosyltransferase, β-fructofuranosidase, and endoinulinase are typically involved in its production. The chemical structure of FOSs consists of an assembly of fructose residues combined with a glucose unit. The increasing consumer demand for healthy foods has driven the widespread use of FOSs in the functional food industry. Thus, FOSs have been incorporated into dairy products, beverages, snacks, and pet foods. Beyond food and feed applications, FOSs serve as a low-calorie sweetener for and are used in dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. As a prebiotic, they enhance gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, aid digestion, improve mineral absorption, and help regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and approved by global regulatory agencies, FOSs are a valuable ingredient for both food and health applications. This review provides an updated perspective on the natural sources and occurrence of FOSs, their structures, and physicochemical and physiological features, with some focus on and a critical assessment of their potential health benefits. Moreover, FOS production methods are concisely addressed, and forthcoming developments involving FOSs are suggested. Full article

Levansucrases are key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of β-2,6-linked fructans, found in plants and microbes, especially in bacteria. Levansucrases have been applied in the production of levan biopolymer and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) using sucrose as a substrate as well as in reducing sugar levels in fruit juice. As a result, levansucrases that are active at low temperatures are required for industrial applications to maintain product stability. Therefore, this work firstly reports the novel cold-active levansucrase (SacBPk) isolated from a sucrolytic bacterial strain, P. koreensis HL12. The SacBPk was classified into glycoside hydrolase family 68 subfamily 1 (GH68_1) and comprised a single catalytic domain with the Asp104/Asp267/Glu362 catalytic triad. Interestingly, the recombinant SacBPk demonstrated cold-active levansucrase activity at low temperatures (on ice and 4–40 °C) with the highest specific activity (167.46 U/mg protein) observed at 35 and 40 °C in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0. SacBPk mainly synthesized levan polymer as the major product (129 g/L, corresponding to 25.8% of total sugar) with a low number of short-chain FOSs (GF2–4) (12.8 g/L, equivalent to 2.5% of total sugar) from 500 g/L sucrose after incubating at 35 °C for 48 h. These results demonstrate the industrial application potential of SacBPk levansucrase for levan and FOSs production. Full article

Twenty-six cats were fed either a control or an inulin-supplemented diet (0.6%) for six weeks with measurements of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbiota. In the second phase, cats were fed their respective diets for another six weeks and were then primo-vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) at days 0 and 21. Serum anti-FeLV IgG responses were monitored. Compared to the control group, the inulin group exhibited higher Firmicutes (+14%) and lower Bacteroidetes (−56%) and Prevotellaceae (−51%) after six weeks of supplementation. Compared to T0, SCFAs initially decreased at week 3 but subsequently increased at week 6 with inulin supplementation, leading to higher butyrate compared to the control group at week 6. A significant diet-by-time interaction was also observed for propionate and total SCFAs. Compared to the control group, the inulin group tended to show a higher serum anti-FeLV IgG response after the first vaccination (p = 0.09), with significant differences at days 5 and 11 post-vaccination. These preliminary results suggest that a six-week dietary supplementation with a low dose of inulin in cats can modify the fecal microbiota and its functional metabolites, potentially influencing the early immune response to vaccination. Full article

Understanding drug release in the colon is fundamental to developing efficient treatments for colon-related diseases, while unraveling the relationship between the colonic microbiota and excipients is crucial to unveiling the effect of biomaterials on the release of drugs. In this contribution, the bio-release of ibuprofen (encapsulated in acetylated and palmitoylated agave fructans) was evaluated by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria in simulated physicochemical (pH and temperature) colon conditions. It was observed that the size of the acyl chain (1 in acetyl and 15 in palmitoyl) was critical both in the growth of the microorganisms and in the release of the drug. For example, both the bacterial growth and the release of ibuprofen were more favored with acetylated fructan microspheres. Among the microorganisms evaluated, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Lactobacillus brevis showed great potential as probiotics useful to release drugs from modified fructans. The production of short-chain fatty acids (lactic, acetic, and propionic acids) in the course of fermentations was also determined, since such molecules have a positive effect both on colon-related diseases and on the regulation of the intestinal microbiota. It was found that a higher concentration of acetate is related to a lower growth of bacteria and less release of ibuprofen. Full article

The human gut microbiota, an intricate ecosystem within the gastrointestinal tract, plays a pivotal role in health and disease. Prebiotics, non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of beneficial microorganisms, have emerged as a key modulator of this complex microbial community. This review article explores the evolution of the prebiotic concept, delineates various types of prebiotics, including fructans, galactooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, chitooligosaccharides, lactulose, resistant starch, and polyphenols, and elucidates their impact on the gut microbiota composition. We delve into the mechanisms through which prebiotics exert their effects, particularly focusing on producing short-chain fatty acids and modulating the gut microbiota towards a health-promoting composition. The implications of prebiotics on human health are extensively reviewed, focusing on conditions such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, immune function, and mental health. The review further discusses the emerging concept of synbiotics—combinations of prebiotics and probiotics that synergistically enhance gut health—and highlights the market potential of prebiotics in response to a growing demand for functional foods. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying areas for future research, this review aims to enhance understanding of prebiotics’ role in health and disease, underscoring their importance in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and overall well-being. Full article

Grains, essential for maintaining good health, contain short-chain carbohydrates like fructans, which can contribute to disorders in some individuals. Understanding and managing these FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols) are essential for enhanced dietary guidance and well-being. The primary objective of the study was to establish safe portion sizes for grains and rice within low-FODMAP diets. A comprehensive analysis of fructan levels in diverse commercial cereal products contributes to an understanding of the potential digestive impact of FODMAPs in grains and supporting enhanced dietary guidance for individuals with FODMAP-related disorders. Various grains, like white and brown rice, barley, wheat groats, and buckwheat, highlight the challenges of handling fructans in a low-FODMAP diet. Fructans to heat-induced degradation, as demonstrated in bulgur, emphasize the need to consider cooking methods for managing their intake. Identification of potentially safe grains, like white long-grain rice and arborio rice, is significant, but caution is advised with barley groats and couscous, stressing personalized dietary decisions. Correlation analyses linking color parameters, moisture content, and fructan levels in cooked grains reveal a positive relationship, suggesting water content’s potential impact on fructan stability and grain hydration properties. In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the intricate details of FODMAPs in grains, supporting the development of dietary strategies that enhance both health and sensory satisfaction. Full article

Fructans are fructose-based polymers, defined as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), when they possess a short chain. These molecules are highly appreciated in the food and pharmaceutical international market and have an increasing demand worldwide, mainly for their prebiotic activity and, therefore, for all their health benefits to those who consume them constantly. Thus, new natural or alternative FOS production systems of industrial scale are needed. In this regard, microorganisms (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) have the potential to produce them through a wide and diverse number of enzymes with fructosyltransferase activity, which add a fructosyl group to sucrose or FOS molecules to elongate their chain. Microbial fructosyltransferases are preferred in the industry because of their high FOS production yields. Some of these enzymes include levansucrases, inulosucrases, and β-fructofuranosidases obtained and used through biotechnological tools to enhance their fructosyltransferase activity. In addition, characterizing new microorganisms with fructosyltransferase activity and modifying them could help to increase the production of FOS with a specific degree of polymerization and reduce the FOS production time, thus easing FOS obtention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile, discuss, and propose new perspectives about the microbial potential for FOS production through enzymes with fructosyltransferase activity and describe the modulation of FOS production yields by exogenous stimuli and endogenous modifications. Full article

Fructans serve as the primary form of storage carbohydrate in cool-season grasses, but little is known about potential differences in ruminal fermentation of fructans between cattle and sheep. An ex vivo study was conducted to evaluate species differences in fructan catabolism. Buffered media containing ground orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) substrate was inoculated with uncultivated rumen microbiota obtained from cattle and sheep (n = 4 species⁻¹). Fructan profiles were monitored over the incubation period (8 h; 39 °C) using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled to pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). In both species, disappearance of long-chain fructans (degree of polymerization [DP] > 8) was evident by 2 h of incubation (p < 0.01), whereas short-chain fructans (DP 4–8) increased from 0 to 2 h prior to subsequent degradation (p < 0.01). However, the overall rate of long-chain fructan catabolism was greater in bovine versus ovine fermentations, particularly between 2 and 4 h (p < 0.01). Additionally, rapid utilization of short-chain fructans occurred from 2 to 4 h in bovine fermentations, but was delayed in ovine fermentations, with substantial degradation occurring only after 4 h of incubation (p < 0.01). These results indicate that rumen microbiota of cattle may have a greater capacity for fructan degradation. Full article

Background: There is great interest in the search for new alternatives to antimicrobial drugs, and the use of synbiotics is a promising approach to this problem. This study evaluated the growth inhibition and antibiofilm activity of the short-chain fatty acids produced by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici in combination with inulin-type fructans against Candida albicans. Methods: The growth inhibition of Candida was evaluated using microdilution analysis in 96-well microtiter plates; different concentrations of cell-free supernatants of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici were exposed to Candida albicans. The antibiofilm assessment was carried out using the crystal violet staining assay. The short-chain fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Results: The clinically isolated Candida albicans interacted with supernatants from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici and showed significant growth inhibition and antibiofilm formation versus the controls. Lactate and acetic acid were elevated in the supernatants. The results suggest that the supernatants obtained from the synbiotic combinations of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici with inulin-type fructans can inhibit the growth and biofilm formation against a clinically isolated Candida albicans strain. Conclusions: These results suggest that synbiotic formulations could be a promising alternative to antifungal drugs in candidiasis therapy. Full article

The gut microbiota is implicated in diverse interactions affecting human health. The present study reports a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study conducted by administering a new synbiotic formulation composed of two Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) and one Bifidobacterium strain (B. animalis subsp. lactis) and two types of fructans (fructo-oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization of 3–5 and inulin-type fructans with 10 DP). The effects of this synbiotic were evaluated on healthy subjects for 28 days and the maintenance of its efficacy was evaluated at the end of a follow-up period of 28 days. The synbiotic treatment contributes to higher biodiversity of the gut microbiota, increasing the community richness with respect to the group with the prebiotics alone and the placebo group. Its positive effect is also reflected in the variation of microbial community structure favoring the beneficial short-chain fatty acids bacterial producers. The amelioration of the health status of the subjects was also established by the reduction of common infectious disease symptom incidence, the stimulation of the gut immune system showing a noteworthy variation of fecal β-defensin2 and calprotectin levels, and the modulation of the response of the respiratory tract’s immune system by salivary IgA as well as total antioxidant capacity biomarkers. Full article

Dietary fibres are important in the human diet with multiple health benefits. This study aimed to determine the gastrointestinal tolerance of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS), well-known prebiotic fibres, at doses up to 40 g/d. An observational, connected, dose-ranging trial was conducted in 116 healthy volunteers. During the first week, the participants were instructed to consume their usual diet. During the second week, half of the subjects consumed 15 g scFOS per day, and the other half consumed 20 g scFOS per day. For the third week, the scFOS dose was doubled for all subjects. Gastrointestinal symptom severity was reported daily, as well as stool consistency and frequency. The results show that scFOS are well tolerated up to 40 g/d; all reported symptoms remained very mild from a clinical perspective. Stool consistency stayed normal, between 3 and 5 on the Bristol stool scale, confirming that no diarrhoea appeared after scFOS intake. Stool frequency also remained within the normal range. In conclusion, scFOS intake is well tolerated up to 40 g/d in healthy subjects. Thanks to their short chains and unique composition, scFOS prebiotic fibres are much better tolerated than other types of inulin-type fructans with longer chains. The digestive tolerance of fibres should be considered when added to foods and beverages. Full article

The effects of supercritical CO₂ processing on the chemical stability of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and other functional and nutritional compounds were evaluated employing non-thermal and thermal approaches. Apple juice was enriched with Pfaffia glomerata roots aqueous extract due to its high content of short-chain FOS and then subjected to different levels of temperature (40 and 60 °C), pressure (8 and 21 MPa), and CO₂ volume ratio (20 and 50%). The percentage of CO₂ volume was evaluated concerning the total volume of the high-pressure reactor. Also, the functional beverage was thermally treated at 105 °C for 10 min. Physicochemical properties (pH and soluble solid content), beta-ecdysone, sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and FOS (1-kestose, nystose, and fructofuranosylnystose) content were determined. The pH and soluble solid content did not modify after all treatments. The pressure and CO₂ volume ratio did not influence the FOS content and their chemical profile, however, the temperature increase from 40 to 60 °C increased the nystose and fructofuranosylnystose content. High-temperature thermal processing favored the hydrolysis of 1-kestose and reduced the sucrose content. Regarding beta-ecdysone, its content remained constant after all stabilization treatments demonstrating thus its high chemical stability. Our results demonstrated that supercritical CO₂ technology is a promising technique for the stabilization of FOS-rich beverages since the molecular structures of these fructans were preserved, thus maintaining their prebiotic functionality. Full article

Dietary fibre is a generic term describing non-absorbed plant carbohydrates and small amounts of associated non-carbohydrate components. The main contributors of fibre to the diet are the cell walls of plant tissues, which are supramolecular polymer networks containing variable proportions of cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectic substances, and non-carbohydrate components, such as lignin. Other contributors of fibre are the intracellular storage oligosaccharides, such as fructans. A distinction needs to be made between intrinsic sources of dietary fibre and purified forms of fibre, given that the three-dimensional matrix of the plant cell wall confers benefits beyond fibre isolates. Movement through the digestive tract modifies the cell wall structure and may affect the interactions with the colonic microbes (e.g., small intestinally non-absorbed carbohydrates are broken down by bacteria to short-chain fatty acids, absorbed by colonocytes). These aspects, combined with the fibre associated components (e.g., micronutrients, polyphenols, phytosterols, and phytoestrogens), may contribute to the health outcomes seen with the consumption of dietary fibre. Therefore, where possible, processing should minimise the degradation of the plant cell wall structures to preserve some of its benefits. Food labelling should include dietary fibre values and distinguish between intrinsic and added fibre. Labelling may also help achieve the recommended intake of 14 g/1000 kcal/day. Full article

In recent years, research has focused on the use of dietary fibers and prebiotics, since many of these polysaccharides can be metabolized by intestinal microbiota, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids. The metabolites of prebiotic fermentation also show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities, suggesting an interesting role in the treatment of several pathological conditions. Galacto-oligosaccharide and short- and long-chain fructans (Fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin) are the most studied prebiotics, even if other dietary compounds seem to show the same features. There is an increasing interest in dietary strategies to modulate microbiota. The aim of this review is to explore the mechanisms of action of prebiotics and their effects on the principal gastro-intestinal disorders in adults, with a special focus on Galacto-oligosaccharides, Fructo-oligosaccharides, lactulose and new emerging substances which currently have evidence of prebiotics effects, such as xilooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, lactobionic acid, resistant starch and polyphenols. Full article

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of β-fructan supplementation on bowel function in healthy volunteers and patients. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the Pubmed and EUPMC database until December 2017, plus two unpublished studies, to identify studies evaluating the impact of β-fructans on bowel movement and stool parameters. Forty-seven publications were selected for inclusion. Primary parameter was frequency of bowel movements, evaluated by the number of defecations per day during the study period. Secondary outcomes were stool consistency, stool dry and wet weights, and transit time. Short-chain (DP < 10) β-fructans contributed to increased stool frequency (0.36 defecation +/− 0.06 per day; p < 0.001), while no significant effect was reported with long-chain (DP ≥ 10) β-fructans (−0.03 +/− 0.11, p = 0.82). A minimal increase in stool wet weight was also statistically demonstrated with short-chain β-fructans. Moreover, the meta-analysis highlighted significant differences in stool consistency in contrast to fecal dry weight after β-fructan supplementation. This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that short-chain β-fructan supplementation has a positive effect on bowel function by significantly increasing the frequency of bowel movements. Full article