Natural Ingredient Fructooligosaccharides for Supplement Formulation

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a highly regarded functional oligosaccharide. As a prebiotic ingredient, they not only promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria and help regulate the intestinal microbiota but also possess multiple physiological properties similar to dietary fibre.

As a natural and healthy functional ingredient, its application areas have been continuously expanding in recent years and are now widely used in the food, health supplement, pharmaceutical, and feed industries. Against the backdrop of growing health-conscious consumption trends, FOS raw materials continue to attract dual attention from both research and the market, with industry momentum steadily increasing.

グリーンスプリング技術用品oligofructose natural ingredient that features excellent solubility, stable processing characteristics, and good taste compatibility. They can be flexibly applied in various product formulations such as dairy products, beverages, baked goods, candies, and health supplements, providing efficient solutions for enterprises to develop innovative products with functional claims such as gut health, low sugar, and prebiotic benefits. Whether in liquid or solid formulations, oligofructose significantly optimises product structure, enhancing the health benefits and market competitiveness of formulations.

1 Structure and Properties of Oligofructose

Oligofructose (FOS), a naturally sourced functional ingredient, is increasingly being used in the development of various health foods and feed products due to its unique structure and excellent properties.

1.1 Clear Structure and Natural Origin

Fructooligosaccharides are a mixture of compounds formed by 1 to 3 fructose units linked to the fructose group of sucrose via β-1,2 glycosidic bonds, primarily including sucrose trisaccharide (GF₂),fructo-tetra-oligosaccharide (GF₃), and fructo-penta-oligosaccharide (GF₄), among others. Its molecular formula can be represented as G-F-Fn (where G represents glucose, F represents fructose, and n = 1–3). FOS is primarily found in natural plants and certain herbal plants, particularly in Jerusalem artichoke (16%–20%), asparagus (1%–20%), and chicory (5%–10%).

1.2 Distinctive functional characteristics, suitable for diverse formulation needs

· Low sweetness and refreshing taste: FOS with 95% purity has a sweetness approximately 30% that of sucrose, offering a pure and natural taste, aligning with clean label and sugar-reduction trends.

· Extremely low caloric value: Approximately 1.5 kcal per gram, about 40% of glucose, suitable for low-calorie formulation design.

· Excellent processing performance: Good solubility, non-colouring, alkali resistance, and anti-aging properties, making it easy to use in various systems. It can effectively inhibit starch retrogradation and extend the textural stability of starch-based foods.

· Thermal stability requires attention: Stable at temperatures up to 120°C under neutral conditions, but prone to decomposition when heated in acidic environments (pH 3–4). It is recommended to utilise its performance advantages in neutral to alkaline product systems.

1.3 Providing reliable solutions for product innovation

FOS has low hygroscopicity, helping to slow down mould growth in food or feed and extend shelf life; its low reactivity and non-colouring properties also help maintain product colour and flavour stability. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for the development of various products such as beverages, baked goods, confectionery, health supplements, and functional feed, helping brands build a competitive edge through differentiation.

2 Biological Benefits of Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) Raw Materials

2.1 Improving Gut Microbiota Balance

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are important prebiotics. They reach the large intestine, and are fermented by beneficial bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids that help regulate the intestinal environment.

Their primary benefits include:

· Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria: significantly increasing the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

· Inhibiting the proliferation of harmful bacteria: effectively suppressing harmful microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella.

· Maintaining intestinal comfort: Promoting intestinal peristalsis, reducing the accumulation of harmful metabolites, and facilitating smooth bowel movements.

The health benefits of FOS are closely related to its structure; the higher the content of fructo-oligosaccharides, the more pronounced the regulatory effect on the intestinal microbiota. Studies have shown that adding an appropriate amount of FOS to food can significantly increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and improve microbial balance.

2.2 Promoting Mineral Absorption and Enhancing Nutritional Efficiency

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) reach the intestines directly, where they are fermented by beneficial bacteria to create a healthy acidic environment, thereby enhancing the solubility and absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Consistent intake of FOS positively promotes magnesium absorption without affecting calcium absorption. Research indicates that FOS can also help mitigate the adverse effects of phytic acid on mineral absorption, enabling minerals to be utilised more efficiently by the body.

2.3ボディを高める's self-protective ability and balancing the healthy microecology

FOS promotes the stable proliferation of beneficial bacteria, helping to establish a balanced microecology and supporting overall health. On this basis, the natural synthesis of B vitamins in the body is promoted, thereby helping to enhance metabolic activity and the body's self-protective ability.

Research shows that FOS also has a positive effect on maintaining normal intestinal morphology and alleviating external stress, providing a reference for improving the overall condition of the body.

2.4 Oral hygiene care and support for dental health

Tooth decay is a common oral issue among children, often closely related to the oral microbial environment. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have unique properties that prevent them from being effectively utilised by cariogenic bacteria to produce harmful dental plaque, thereby reducing the opportunity for harmful oral microorganisms to adhere and produce acid.

As a friendly dietary component, FOS supports intestinal health while also helping to maintain oral hygiene, making it suitable for consumers who prioritise oral care for the entire family.

3 Current Application Status of FOS Raw Materials

3.1 Food and Beverages: A Versatile Health Ingredient

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a natural functional ingredient widely used in various product categories such as dairy products, beverages, baked goods, candies, cereal breakfast foods, and ice cream in Europe, the United States, and Japan. They not only help increase the dietary fibre content of products but also extend the shelf life of foods like yogurt and jam.

FOS has a low-calorie characteristic, making it an ideal alternative sweetener that aligns with modern consumers' demand for healthy diets. In recent years, its application in infant formula has also become increasingly widespread, primarily used in infant formula, fermented milk products, and probiotic beverages to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

3.2 Dairy Innovation: Empowering Fermentation and Formula Upgrades

Many dairy companies have added functional ingredients like FOS and inulin to develop new fermented milk and functional yogurt products. These additions not only improve product taste and stability but also enhance their nutritional properties, offering consumers more diverse options.

3.3 Daily Dietary Supplements: Convenient Nutritional Support

As a water-soluble dietary fibre, FOS is also used in dietary supplement products and daily health beverages, enabling consumers to conveniently supplement their nutrition anytime, anywhere, and support a balanced diet.

3.4 Animal Nutrition: Promoting Green and Healthy Farming

In the feed industry, FOS is used as a probiotic to improve animal digestive efficiency, enhance nutrient absorption, and improve egg and milk quality, while also helping to reduce odour emissions during farming. Additionally, in the feeding of rare animals such as giant pandas, FOS is used as a dietary supplement to help maintain animal body condition and appetite.

4 Future Outlook

As a cutting-edge health dietary ingredient, FOS is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide in the food, dairy, health supplement, and animal nutrition sectors, with its application scenarios continuously expanding. It is widely used in products such as yogurt, infant formula, functional beverages, and baked goods to enhance fibre content and health benefits, and has also been incorporated into specialised feed and animal conservation programmes to support diverse ecological and farming needs.

In the future, FOS is expected to further expand into more daily consumption and high-end nutritional products, driving the industry toward natural, healthy, and sustainable development, and providing more possibilities for human and animal health management.

Embrace nature, focus on empowerment—contact us at helen@greenspringbio.com or WhatsApp: +86 13649243917 immediately to explore innovative applications of fructooligosaccharides in your products and co-create a healthy future!

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