Fibers

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are a type of oligosaccharide formed from galactose units, with one glucose unit typically at the end. Like fructooligosaccharides (FOS), GOS are considered prebiotics, which means they nourish beneficial gut bacteria, particularly bifidobacteria, enhancing gut health and contributing to a balanced intestinal microbiome. GOS are derived from lactose (milk sugar) through enzymatic conversion and share similarities with the oligosaccharides found in human breast milk, contributing to their significance in infant nutrition. GOS consumption helps aide with digestive health, immune system support, nutrient absorption, and allergy prevention.

  • Food & Beverage:
    Dairy Products: GOS can be added to yogurt, milk drinks, and fermented dairy products to enhance their functional properties, including improving digestive health and potentially enhancing calcium absorption.
    Non-Dairy Alternatives: With the rise of plant-based diets, GOS are also incorporated into non-dairy milks and yogurts to provide prebiotic benefits.
    Health Drinks: Beverages designed to support digestive health often include GOS due to their prebiotic effects.
    Infant Formula: GOS is extensively used in infant formulas to mimic the prebiotic properties of human milk oligosaccharides, supporting the development of a healthy gut microbiota in infants. They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, which is crucial for infants’ digestive health and immune system development.

  • Nutraceutical:
    Prebiotic Supplements: GOS are found in prebiotic supplements aimed at promoting gut health, often in combination with other prebiotics like FOS or inulin.
    Symbiotic Supplements: Products that combine probiotics (live beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (their food source) may include GOS to enhance the survival and activity of the probiotics.
    Nutritional Bars and Snacks: GOS can be added to nutritional bars, cereals, and snacks to boost their fiber content and provide prebiotic benefits without significantly impacting the taste or texture.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are prebiotic carbohydrates composed of xylose molecules linked together. XOS aids in digestive health, prebiotic effects in the gut microbiota, aides in calcium absorption for better bone health, and blood sugar management.

  • Food & Beverage: XOS is incorporated into various functional foods, including yogurt, dairy products, beverages, and baked goods, to enhance their prebiotic properties and provide additional health benefits.

  • Nutraceutical: XOS supplements are available to promote digestive health, support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and improve bowel regularity.
    Animal Feed: XOS is used as a prebiotic additive in animal feed to promote gut health and improve nutrient absorption in livestock and poultry.

Gum Acacia

Gum Acacia, also known as gum arabic, is a natural gum harvested from the sap of the Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees, which are native to regions of Africa. It is a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins that form a viscous, soluble fiber when dissolved in water. Gum Acacia is valued for its versatile functional properties and finds widespread use in numerous applications across the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial areas.

  • Food & Beverage: Gum acacia is commonly used as an emulsifying agent and stabilizer in food products such as beverages, syrups, and confections to prevent separation of ingredients and improve texture. It serves as a thickening agent enhancing viscosity and mouthfeel in various food applications, including sauces, dressings, and soups. Gum acacia is utilized as a coating and encapsulating agent for flavor oils, vitamins, and other active ingredients in products like candies, chewing gum, and dietary supplements. Gum acacia is a soluble fiber and can be added to food products to increase their fiber content and provide potential health benefits such as digestive support and satiety.

  • Nutraceutical: Gum acacia has several uses in the pharmaceutical space, including use as a binder adhesive and glaze for tablets. It is utilized for encapsulating active pharmaceutical ingredients to improve stability, control release, and to mask unpleasant tastes or odors. It is also used as a suspension and emulsifying agent in syrups. And it is an important ingredient in medicated cough drops and lozenges.

  • Industrial: Gum acacia is used in the production of inks, paints, and coatings as a binder and thickening agent to improve flow properties and adhesion. It is also used as a binder in the manufacturing of adhesives for various industrial applications.

  • Personal Care: Gum acacia is used in cosmetics and personal care products such as lotions, creams, and hair care products as an emulsifying agent and stabilizer to create stable formulations and improve product texture. It can form a thin film on the skin or hair, providing a protective barrier and enhancing moisture retention.

Cellulose Fiber

Cellulose Fiber is a type of dietary fiber derived from the cell walls of plants, particularly from sources like wood pulp, cotton, hemp, and other fibrous plant materials. Cellulose fiber plays a crucial role in promoting digestive health and overall well-being.

  • Food & Beverage:
    Baked Goods: Cellulose fiber is used as a bulking agent and stabilizer in baked goods like bread, muffins, and cakes to improve texture, moisture retention, and shelf life.
    Processed Meats: It is commonly used as a filler and binder in processed meat products such as sausages, burgers, and meatballs to improve texture, reduce fat content, and enhance juiciness.
    Dairy Products: Cellulose fiber is added to dairy products like yogurt and ice cream to enhance creaminess, improve mouthfeel, reduce ice crystals, and stabilize the product structure. It is also used in shredded and powdered cheeses as an anti-caking agent and to improve flowability.
    Low-Calorie Foods: Cellulose fiber is used as a low-calorie bulking agent and filler in various low-calorie and reduced-fat food products to increase volume and satiety without adding extra calories.

  • Nutraceutical:
    Dietary Fiber Supplements: Cellulose fiber is available in the form of dietary fiber supplements, such as capsules, tablets, powders, and fiber bars, to increase daily fiber intake and support digestive health.
    Meal Replacement Shakes: It is added to meal replacement shakes and powders to increase fiber content, promote satiety, and support weight management goals.
    Tablets and Capsules: Cellulose fiber is used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations to improve tablet disintegration, control drug release, and enhance stability.
    Bulk Laxatives: Cellulose fiber is used in bulk laxatives and stool softeners to promote bowel regularity, relieve constipation, and support overall digestive health.

  • Industrial:
    Paper and Packaging: Cellulose fiber is the primary raw material used in the production of paper, cardboard, and packaging materials due to its strong and flexible properties.

  • Personal Care:
    Cosmetics: Cellulose fiber is used in cosmetics and personal care products like lotions, creams, and scrubs as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and texture enhancer to improve product consistency and application.