Xylooligosaccharidesand Arabinoxylanoligosaccharides and Their Application as Prebiotics

Background and Objective: Xylooligosaccharides and arabinoxylanoligosaccharideshave been subject to nearly 30 years of in vitro and clinical trials, and advances in process technology have led to more widespread commercial availability. This review was conducted to examine xylooligosaccharidesand arabinoxylanoligosaccharidesas next generation prebiotics. Results and Conclusion: Xylooligosaccharides and arabinoxylanoligosaccharides are based upon 5-carbon sugars, and their microbial utilization in the digestive tract is thus fundamentally different from prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides, inulin, and resistant starch that are oligomers/polymers of 6-carbon sugars connected by a bonds. Five carbon sugars and oligosaccharides connected by beta bonds are more narrowly utilized; xylooligosaccharides and arabinoxylanoligosaccharidesare especially effective for selective feeding of Bifidobacteria, although they can also be used by some strains of Lactobacilli and other bacteria. Clinical studies on xylooligosaccharides and arabinoxylanoligosaccharidesreport beneficial impacts upon digestive health, management of blood sugars and lipids, beneficial modification of immune markers, and benefits for laxation. These outcomes have typically been observed at 1-4 grams per day, a lower dose than required for other prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharidesand inulin. The lower dose requirement for clinical efficacy also provides advantages in terms of product formulation and more options for delivery of a clinically beneficial dose to consumers.