Plant-Derived Oligosaccharides

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Plant-Derived Oligosaccharides Overview

Plant-derived oligosaccharides are a diverse group of non-digestible carbohydrates composed of short monosaccharide chains. Naturally occurring in many edible plants, these compounds are best known for their prebiotic functions—supporting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota and playing key roles in modulating host metabolism and immunity. The most well-studied members include galacto oligosaccharides (GOS), fructo oligosaccharides (FOS) (including fructooligosaccharide and chicory root oligosaccharides), inulin oligosaccharide, xylo oligosaccharides (XOS), and raffinose oligosaccharides.

Fig.1 Different types of plant oligosaccharides. Fig.1 Various plant oligosaccharides.¹

Creative Biolabs understands that these biomolecules possess transformative potential. Our team combines years of glycoscience and bioengineering experience to deliver complete custom oligosaccharide synthesis along with advanced oligosaccharide analysis for your discovery and development requirements. We provide assistance to help streamline and elevate your research when you're characterizing dietary fibers or validating glycan-mediated mechanisms and formulating novel functional foods.

Oligosaccharide Type	Source	Monomers	Linkages	Key Functions	Scientific Interest
Galacto Oligosaccharides	Legumes, dairy	Galactose, Glucose	β-1,4; β-1,6	Promote Bifidobacteria growth, gut barrier	Infant nutrition, microbiome research
Fructo Oligosaccharides	Onion, banana, asparagus	Fructose	β-2,1	Pathogen inhibition, calcium uptake	Gut health, functional food
Chicory Root Oligosaccharides	Chicory root	Fructose	β-2,1	SCFA production, immune modulation	Cancer prevention, microbiome-targeted therapies
Inulin Oligosaccharide	Jerusalem artichoke	Fructose	β-2,1	Insulin regulation, lipid metabolism	Metabolic disease treatment
Xylo Oligosaccharides	Corncob, bamboo	Xylose	β-1,4	Antioxidant, immunomodulatory	Functional food, inflammation
Raffinose Oligosaccharides	Soybeans, whole grains	Galactose, Glucose, Fructose	α-1,6 & α-1,1	Seed viability, mild prebiotic	Seed biology, dietary interventions

Looking for precision oligosaccharide tools for your next project?

At Creative Biolabs, we specialize in custom oligosaccharide synthesis, analysis and, glycoengineering, from plant-derived prebiotics to complex humanized glycans. Whether you're validating a dietary fiber mechanism or characterizing gut microbiota interactions, our tailored solutions make complex glycoscience manageable.

Our Expert Services	Application in Oligosaccharide Research
Custom Oligosaccharide Synthesis	Tailored structures for FOS, GOS, XOS & HMOs
Oligosaccharide Analysis Service	HPLC, MS, FACE & CE methods for glycan profiling
Plant Cell Wall Composition Analysis	Quantitative tracking of Xylo & raffinose oligosaccharides

Galacto Oligosaccharides in Gut Health

GOS are enzymatically synthesized from lactose and occur naturally in legumes. Structurally, they are composed of galactose units linked via β-1,4 or β-1,6 bonds with a terminal glucose. These oligosaccharides act as selective substrates for Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, promoting gut eubiosis. Clinical trials demonstrate that even low-dose GOS (~2g/day) increase B. adolescentis in the gut microbiome. This makes GOS a key target for both infant formula development and adult gut health therapies.

Key Health Benefits:

Enhances gut barrier and epithelial integrity
Reduces gastrointestinal infections
Generates SCFAs that modulate inflammation and immunity

Fructo Oligosaccharides in Prebiotic Research

Fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), including fructooligosaccharide, are composed of β-2,1-linked fructose chains ending in glucose. Sourced from bananas, onions, and chicory, they are heat-stable and water-soluble. A 2021 meta-analysis linked FOS to a 0.5 mmol/L decrease in fasting glucose and improved insulin sensitivity. These outcomes reinforce FOS's clinical potential in metabolic disorders and functional food design.

Prebiotic Properties:

Boost Bifidobacterium populations
Increase fecal bulk and hydration
Improve calcium and magnesium uptake

Chicory Root Oligosaccharides and Gut Microbiota

Chicory-derived FOS are functionally identical to inulin fragments and exhibit excellent fermentation profiles in the colon. By lowering gut pH and promoting SCFA synthesis, they suppress inflammation and enhance epithelial integrity. In human studies, chicory oligosaccharides reduced colorectal cancer biomarkers and improved gut microbial diversity.

Mechanistic Highlights:

Enhances butyrate production
Inhibits E. coli adhesion
Alleviates inflammatory bowel symptoms

Inulin Oligosaccharides in Metabolic Health

Inulin oligosaccharide, a longer-chain fructan, improves glycemic and lipid profiles by targeting gut-liver crosstalk. It suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis and upregulates GLP-1 secretion via SCFA signaling. Ongoing research is investigating inulin as an adjuvant in type 2 diabetes management and its synergy with GLP-1 analog therapies.

Clinical Relevance:

Reduces LDL and triglycerides
Enhances satiety and weight control
Restores gut barrier in diabetics

Xylo Oligosaccharides and Immune Modulation

XOS are β-1,4-linked xylose oligomers derived from bamboo, corncob, and wheat bran. Their thermal and pH stability allows seamless formulation in nutraceuticals. Animal models confirm that XOS improves gut morphology and enhances resistance to pathogens, making them suitable for both human and veterinary nutrition.

Immunological Effects:

Elevates IgA secretion in mucosa
Activates NK cells and phagocytes
Inhibits inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α)

Raffinose Oligosaccharides in Seed Development

Often overlooked due to their gas-forming properties, raffinose oligosaccharides (ROs) are emerging as powerful seed protectants and mild prebiotics. Their structure—α-1,6-linked galactose on sucrose—confers desiccation resistance and osmoprotection in plants. With advancements in enzymatic processing, ROs are finding new applications in plant science, prebiotic supplements, and glycoengineering.

Dual Roles:

Prebiotic potential upon enzymatic hydrolysis
Regulation of oxidative stress during seed maturation
Serve as carbon reserves and energy buffers

Current research reveals that plant-derived oligosaccharides function beyond dietary fibers and serve as active bioactive compounds leading advancements in functional nutrition and immunology research as well as glycoscience exploration. The discovery of systemic effects of oligosaccharides requires researchers increasingly to develop custom oligosaccharide tools for precise studies. Creative Biolabs takes pride in working with international scientists to discover all the possibilities of oligosaccharides. Our custom oligosaccharide synthesis and analysis platforms will help you advance your work in plant-based prebiotic characterization or glycan-targeted therapy development by delivering accurate results efficiently and maintaining high quality standards. Are you prepared to advance your research with custom-tailored glycoscience solutions? Join us to transform your oligosaccharide projects into reality.

FAQs

Q: What are examples of oligosaccharides in plants?

A: Common plant oligosaccharides include raffinose, stachyose, GOS, FOS, and XOS. At Creative Biolabs, we offer tailored plant chemistry profiling services to help identify and quantify these bioactive sugars.

Q: How do you analyze plant-derived oligosaccharides?

A: We analyze plant-derived oligosaccharides using advanced glycan analysis techniques like HPLC, CE, and MS. Our oligosaccharides analysis service ensures accurate structural and compositional profiling to support your plant-based research.

Reference

Pedersen, Henriette L., et al. "Versatile high resolution oligosaccharide microarrays for plant glycobiology and cell wall research." Journal of Biological Chemistry 287.47 (2012): 39429-39438. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M112.396598