Basic Information

• Source: Xylo-oligosaccharides are mainly derived from the hemicellulose of plants, such as corncobs, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat bran. Through a series of biotechnology processes, like enzymatic hydrolysis, the xylan in plant raw materials is decomposed to obtain xylo-oligosaccharides. These plant raw materials are widely sourced, have relatively low costs, and are renewable.
• Chemical Structure: Xylo-oligosaccharides are oligosaccharides composed of 2 - 7 xylose molecules linked by β - 1,4 glycosidic bonds. This chemical structure endows them with some special physiological functions, distinguishing them from other sugars.
• Appearance and Properties: They are usually in the form of white or light yellow powder, with no peculiar smell or having a slightly sweet taste. The powder has a fine texture, good fluidity, and is easily soluble in water, forming a transparent or slightly turbid solution in water.

Components

• Main Component: The core component is xylo-oligosaccharides. The content varies depending on the production process and product quality requirements. High-quality xylo-oligosaccharide products can have a content of over 90%. High-content xylo-oligosaccharides can better play their prebiotic functions.
• Impurity Components: They may contain small amounts of incompletely reacted xylan, monosaccharides (such as xylose), enzyme preparation residues, minerals, and other trace components. In high-quality products, the contents of these impurities will be strictly controlled to ensure the purity and quality of the product. For example, the content of monosaccharides is generally controlled below 5%.

Specifications

• Content Specifications: There are commonly different content specifications of xylo-oligosaccharide powder, such as 35%, 50%, 70%, and 90%. Products with different contents are suitable for different application scenarios. For example, high-content products are more suitable for use in health products and high-end food additives, while products with lower contents may be used in some ordinary food processing.
• Packaging Specifications: There are various packaging forms. Common ones include 100 g/bag, 250 g/bottle, 500 g/can, 1 kg/package, 25 kg/drum, etc. Small packages are convenient for individual consumers to use and purchase, while large packages are suitable for industrial production or bulk procurement.

Quality Standards

• Detection Methods:
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a commonly used method for detecting the content of xylo-oligosaccharides. By comparing with standard products, its content can be accurately determined.
  • Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is used for auxiliary detection, which can be used to preliminarily judge the composition and purity of xylo-oligosaccharides.
  • In terms of impurity detection, for example, the Fehling reagent method or the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method can be used to detect the content of monosaccharides, and the atomic absorption spectrometry can be used to detect the content of minerals.
• Quality Indicators:
  • In terms of purity, according to the product's use and grade, high-purity products require the content of xylo-oligosaccharides to be above 90%, and the purity of general products should also be above 35%.
  • The moisture content is generally controlled between 5% and 8% to avoid the product from getting damp, caking, and affecting its performance and shelf life.
  • Microbiological indicators are strict. The total number of bacteria usually does not exceed 1000 cfu/g, the number of molds and yeasts does not exceed 100 cfu/g, and harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella should not be detected.

Efficacy and Functions

• Promotion of Intestinal Health: Xylo-oligosaccharides are high-quality prebiotics that can selectively promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. For example, in the human intestine, they can provide nutrients for bifidobacteria, enabling them to multiply in large numbers in the intestine, thus improving the microecological environment of the intestine and preventing and improving intestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea.
• Enhancement of Immune Regulation: By regulating the balance of the intestinal flora, it indirectly affects the immune system. The improvement of the balance of the intestinal flora helps to activate the gut-associated lymphoid tissue and enhance the body's immune defense function. Some studies have shown that long-term intake of xylo-oligosaccharides can increase the body's immunoglobulin levels and enhance immunity.
• Regulation of Blood Glucose and Lipids: Although xylo-oligosaccharides themselves will not cause significant fluctuations in blood glucose, they can affect the absorption of sugars and fats in the intestine. To some extent, they help to reduce the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and can slow down the absorption speed of carbohydrates, having a positive effect on the regulation of blood glucose and lipids.

Application Fields

• Food Industry:
  • As functional food additives, they are widely used in various foods. In dairy products, such as yogurt and lactic acid bacteria beverages, adding xylo-oligosaccharides can enhance the prebiotic function of the products and increase their added value. When added to baked goods, such as bread and biscuits, they can improve the quality and flavor of the products while endowing them with health care functions.
  • They are used to make functional candies, jellies, and other snack foods to meet consumers' needs for healthy snacks. For example, some low-sugar, high-fiber functional candies, after adding xylo-oligosaccharides, not only have a good taste but also have the function of regulating the intestinal flora.
• Health Product Industry: They are made into various health products, such as capsules, tablets, and powdered nutritional supplements. They are mainly targeted at people with poor intestinal function and low immunity, and by supplementing xylo-oligosaccharides, they can regulate the intestinal flora and enhance immunity.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: In some pharmaceutical preparations, they are used as auxiliary ingredients for the treatment of intestinal diseases. For example, adding xylo-oligosaccharides to drugs for treating constipation or diarrhea helps to restore the normal function of the intestine.

Product Cases

• A certain brand of xylo-oligosaccharide nutritional supplement: Each bag contains over 95% xylo-oligosaccharides, with a content of 10 grams. This product is mainly targeted at people with intestinal flora imbalance. It is recommended to take 1 - 2 bags a day. By taking it with warm water, xylo-oligosaccharides can be supplemented to regulate the intestinal flora and improve digestive function.
• A certain xylo-oligosaccharide yogurt: 3 grams of xylo-oligosaccharides are added to every 100 grams of yogurt. Besides containing rich protein and calcium, this yogurt also has the function of a prebiotic. Consumers can ingest xylo-oligosaccharides while eating yogurt, which helps to maintain intestinal health.