Potential for the development of prebiotic oligosaccharides from biomass

Rastall, R.A. and Hotchkiss, A.T. (2003) Potential for the development of prebiotic oligosaccharides from biomass. In: Eggleston, G. and Cote, G.L. (eds.) Oligosaccharides in food and agriculture. ACS symposium series, 849. American Chemical Society, Washington, pp. 44-53. ISBN 9780841238268 doi: 10.1021/bk-2003-0849

Abstract/Summary

Waste biomass contains a multitude of complex carbohydrate molecules. These carbohydrates can be considered as a resource for the development of novel prebiotic oligosaccharides which may have better functionality than those currently established on the market. Enhanced persistence of the prebiotic effect along the colon, antipathogen effects, and more closely targeted prebiotics, might all be possible starting from plant polysaccharides. Of particular interest for the development of novel prebiotics are oligosaccharides from arabinoxylans and pectins. Oligosaccharides derived from the breakdown of both classes have received increased research attention recently. The development of prebiotics based upon biomass will demand the development of new manufacturing technologies.