Functional β-mannooligosaccharides: Sources, enzymatic production and application as prebiotics

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Food Science

Background:

• Emerging non-digestible oligosaccharide prebiotics, β-mannooligosaccharides (β-MOS), are derived from β-mannans.
• β-MOS selectively modulate gut microbiota, promoting probiotics and inhibiting pathogens, while producing short-chain fatty acids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of enzymatic β-MOS production.
• To evaluate the prebiotic and bioactive properties of β-MOS.
• To summarize characterization, structure-function relationships, and in vivo studies.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic production of β-MOS using β-mannanases.
• Characterization and structural analysis of β-MOS.
• Review of existing in vivo and clinical studies.

Main Results:

• Enzymatic production is an effective and eco-friendly approach for β-MOS.
• β-MOS demonstrate significant prebiotic effects and other bioactive properties.
• Existing studies highlight the potential of β-MOS in modulating gut health.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of production using cost-effective substrates and optimized conditions is necessary for large-scale β-MOS application.
• Further in vivo and clinical studies are required to fully establish the therapeutic potential of β-MOS.
• β-MOS hold promise as prebiotics, functional food ingredients, and therapeutic agents.