Definition:

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NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide Health Benefits:

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide(IMO) is a starch sugar product obtained from starch or starchy raw materials by means of enzymatic conversion, refining and concentration. It is a mixture of two to ten glucose molecules linked by α-1,6 glycosidic bonds (with a small amount of α-1,4 glycosidic bonds) and mainly contains isomaltose, panose and isomalttriose. It can be utilised by bifidobacteria in the human gut and is widely used in food, health foods, dietary supplements and animal feed. It is one of the most widely used prebiotics globally and is particularly well-suited to products requiring low sugar content and functional properties.

■ Source

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharides are found in small amounts in foods such as honey, soy sauce and fermented products like steamed buns and bread. Their content in natural raw materials is extremely low (usually less than 1%), making large-scale extraction impossible; they only serve as evidence of their natural presence. Artificial synthesis is therefore the only option for the food industry. Corn starch, rice starch or wheat starch can be used as raw materials. These are widely available, low-cost and have a food-grade purity of at least 99%. The starch is first hydrolysed into short-chain sugars such as maltose and glucose. Then, through the transglycosylation action of α-glucosidase, glucose residues are linked by α-1,6 glycosidic bonds to generate isomaltooligosaccharides. This method offers a high yield and easily controllable purity of up to 90% or more, as well as stable product performance and full compliance with food-grade safety requirements.

Particularities of NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide:

Product Specifications:

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide is available in the following specification and contents:

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☑ NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide syrup 50%/90%

Product quality standards:

● GB20881, Food grade, In-house

▶ Regulating the intestinal microbiome

▶ Comprehensive improvement of intestinal function

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide Applications:

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) has a wide range of applications in fields such as food, health foods, dietary supplements and animal feed.

Its core advantage lies in its broad-spectrum prebiotic properties, as well as its resistance to heat and acid, and its low sweetness and low-calorie content. These properties can be adapted to the functional requirements and processing technology of different products. Its range of applications is broader than that of similar prebiotics.

The food industry is the primary application area for isomaltooligosaccharides. In dairy products, it creates a synergistic effect with probiotics when added, enhancing gut health. It is also heat- and acid-resistant, making it suitable for pasteurisation and high-temperature sterilisation processes. Its low sweetness does not mask the milky aroma, thereby enhancing the product's nutritional value. In beverages, its low sweetness does not interfere with the original flavour and it replaces some sucrose, thereby reducing calories. Its acid resistance (it is stable at pH 2.0-8.0) makes it suitable for processing acidic fruit juices and tea beverages, while its good water solubility does not affect the beverage's clarity. In pastries and sweets, isomaltooligosaccharides' low calorie content (replacing 30%-60% of sucrose) improves the texture and chewiness of products; its heat resistance (it is stable at 120°C) makes it suitable for high-temperature baking processes, and it enhances "dietary fibre" and "prebiotic" functional labels, aligning with health-conscious consumption trends. In meat products and seasonings, it is used to adjust the flavour of products, mask the fishy smell of meat and the bitterness of sauces, enhance the water retention of meat products, extend their shelf life and give them a 'gut-friendly' function, thereby increasing their added value.

In the health foods and dietary supplements sector, isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) acts as a prebiotic. It is available in various dosage forms for gut health products, including capsules, tablets, granules, probiotic compound powders and oral liquids. It is compatible with a variety of probiotics and is suitable for long-term use by individuals with chronic constipation or gut microbiota imbalance. In products designed to control blood sugar and aid weight loss, it is available in forms such as meal replacement powders, weight-loss biscuits, blood sugar control oral liquids and supplements for blood sugar management. IOM has a glycemic index (GI) close to 0, meaning it does not raise blood sugar. Its low calorie content aids calorie control, making it suitable for diabetics and those trying to lose weight. In bone health products, IOM is available in the form of calcium supplements, multivitamin tablets and supplements for adolescent growth. It is often combined with calcium, vitamin D and zinc to enhance the bioavailability of supplements and address the bone development needs of adolescents and the bone density maintenance needs of the elderly by increasing calcium absorption by 25%-35%. Multivitamin products are available in the form of multivitamin tablets, immune-modulating supplements and nutritional powders for the elderly. As a functional excipient, it is combined with vitamins, minerals and proteins to provide prebiotic and nutritional supplementation. This reduces the digestive burden on the intestines, making it suitable for the elderly and those with weak constitutions.

Isomaltooligosaccharides can improve the gut microbiota of livestock and poultry. They can reduce diarrhoea rates in piglets by 30%-50%, reduce mortality rates in laying hens, increase the feed conversion rate by 10%-15%, promote growth, reduce the need for antibiotics, and improve the quality of meat, eggs, and milk. In cosmetics, they can regulate the balance of skin surface microbiota, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, enhance skin barrier function and improve redness and dryness in sensitive skin. They also enhance the effectiveness of skincare products. In pharmaceutical excipients, isomaltooligosaccharides are used in oral formulations (e.g. capsule fillers and granule excipients) and in intestinal mucosal repair formulations. As a functional excipient, they combine filler and prebiotic functions, helping to improve intestinal function in patients and enhancing drug tolerance. They are especially suitable for those taking medication long term.

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide is highly adaptable and can promote the growth of multiple beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli and Streptococci, simultaneously and without limitation to a single bacterial group. IOS can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, thereby reducing the production of toxic metabolites, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, in the intestines. These beneficial bacteria then metabolise the IOS to produce short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid), which lower the intestinal pH and stabilise a healthy gut microbiota.

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide can increase stool water content and volume, promote intestinal peristalsis and have been shown to improve chronic constipation in over 70% of cases, without causing dependence. They can regulate intestinal motility rhythms, relieve diarrhoea (particularly that related to dysbiosis), and reduce bowel frequency and loose stools. Furthermore, isomaltooligosaccharides can strengthen the tight junctions of the intestinal mucosa, repair intestinal barrier damage and reduce the risk of undigested macromolecules or allergens entering the bloodstream. They can also reduce intestinal inflammation.

▶ Boosting immunity

The gut is the largest immune organ in the human body and a balanced gut microbiota can stimulate the development and maturation of the intestinal mucosal immune system (Peyer's patches). SWEETEST®Isomaltooligosaccharides can enhance the phagocytic activity of immune cells, such as macrophages and T lymphocytes, and the secretion of cytokines. This improves the body's resistance to pathogens. They can also reduce chronic intestinal inflammation and lower the frequency of allergic reactions in allergic individuals, making them particularly suitable for building immunity in infants and the elderly.

☑ NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide powder 50%/90%

■ Physical and chemical properties

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharide(IMO) is odourless, moderately hygroscopic and flows well. It is highly soluble in water, producing a clear, transparent solution without precipitation or layering. It is also heat-resistant, remaining stable after sterilisation at 120°C for 60 minutes, and acid-resistant, remaining stable within a pH range of 2.0-8.0. This makes it suitable for various food processing techniques, such as high-temperature sterilisation, acidic beverages and baking. Its sweetness is approximately 30-50% that of sucrose, with a mild flavour and no bitter aftertaste. This makes it a suitable substitute for sucrose for adjusting product flavour. With approximately 1.8 kcal/g, it contains only half the energy of sucrose. It is not broken down by human digestive enzymes nor does it participate in blood glucose metabolism, making it suitable for diabetics and those trying to control their weight. IMO has a similar viscosity to sucrose solutions of the same concentration, which facilitates food processing without adversely affecting the texture or physical properties of confectionery or pastries. Its water activity (AW) is 0.75, which is lower than sucrose (0.85) and high maltose syrup (0.77). Common bacteria, yeasts and moulds cannot grow in an environment with an AW of ≤0.8, which indicates that isomaltooligosaccharides(IMO) have superior preservative effects. IMO can undergo Maillard browning with proteins or amino acids when heated. The degree of colouring depends on the sugar concentration and is affected by the type of protein or amino acid being heated, the pH value, the heating temperature and time. IMO has excellent moisture retention properties, preventing the retrogradation of starchy foods and the precipitation of sugar crystals. It is the least prone to fermentation during food processing, enabling it to retain its functionality over a long period of time.

▶ Promotes nutrient absorption

NutuFibraz®Isomaltooligosaccharides promote the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. They increase calcium absorption by 25-35%, which supports bone development in adolescents and bone health in the elderly. They also help beneficial gut bacteria to synthesise B vitamins (B1, B2 and B6) and vitamin K, thus supplementing the body's nutritional needs. Furthermore, they can improve the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes, thereby enhancing the digestibility and utilisation of proteins and carbohydrates and reducing the digestive burden on the intestines.

■ Production technology characteristics

Richtek uses high-quality raw materials, mixing starch with deionised water to create a 30-40% starch slurry. Heat-resistant α-amylase is then added to the mixture, which is heated to between 90 and 100°C and held for 30-60 minutes in order to gelatinise the starch and begin the hydrolysis process, converting it into dextrin and maltose. The liquefied solution is then cooled to 50-60 °C and the pH adjusted to 5.0-6.0 using hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. α-Glucosidase is then added at 0.3-0.8% of the dry weight of the starch. The mixture is stirred thoroughly and reacted at a constant temperature of 50-60°C for 16-24 hours. The isomaltooligosaccharide content is monitored during this period. Once the total isomaltooligosaccharide content reaches ≥50% (≥90% for high-purity products), the temperature is increased to 85-95°C and maintained for 20 minutes to deactivate the enzyme activity and stop the reaction. Unhydrolysed starch granules, enzyme proteins and other insoluble impurities are then removed by plate-and-frame filtration or ceramic membrane filtration (0.22 μm). 0.5-1.0% food-grade activated carbon is then added to the filtrate and the mixture stirred at 60°C for 40 minutes. The activated carbon is then removed by filtration, yielding a colourless, transparent filtrate. Ion exchange resin (cation and anion exchange resins) is then used to remove monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, as well as trace amounts of salt. For high-purity products, an additional gel filtration chromatography step is required to further enrich the target components.

The filtrate is filtered through a 0.1 μm precision membrane to ensure that it is free of impurities and meets food-grade cleanliness standards. The purified solution is concentrated using vacuum evaporation to a solid content of 75%-80% for liquid products or 80%-85% for powder product raw materials. Powder products are spray-dried with instantaneous drying after atomisation to produce a uniform powder, while liquid products can be filled aseptically. The powder product is then passed through an 80-100 mesh sieve to remove agglomerated particles and ensure uniform particle size.