Tag: Enzymatic synthesis

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are unique prebiotics, derived primarily from the lactose found in cow's milk. Unlike some other prebiotics sourced from plants, commercial GOS is specifically created through a controlled enzymatic process that harnesses this dairy sugar to produce the beneficial gut-supporting fiber.

Inulin, a type of soluble dietary fiber and fructan, is a natural polysaccharide produced by over 36,000 plant species, most notably chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. Inulin acts as a vital energy reserve for these plants, serving as an alternative to starch storage. The intricate biochemical process involves specific enzymes that progressively assemble fructose units into a linear chain.

According to the American Halal Foundation, mono and diglycerides can be derived from either animal or vegetable sources. This article explains the primary industrial and enzymatic methods used to manufacture monoglycerides, essential emulsifiers widely used in the food and chemical industries.

Over 90% of commercially available Vitamin A is in the form of retinyl palmitate, a much more stable ester derivative than its parent compound, retinol. The methods used to create this crucial nutrient and cosmetic ingredient involve sophisticated chemical processes that result in a pure, stable, and highly effective product.

Glutathione is a tripeptide made from three amino acids—glutamate, cysteine, and glycine—and is synthesized in the cytosol of cells through a two-step enzymatic process. This essential molecule can be prepared for commercial and research applications using various methods, ranging from large-scale fermentation to sophisticated enzymatic synthesis.

Over 3,000 different plant species contain fructans, including the prebiotic compound fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), in varying concentrations. FOS are derived from these natural botanical sources as well as manufactured on an industrial scale for use in dietary supplements and functional foods.

Over 500 food products contain fructooligosaccharides (FOS), highlighting their common use as a functional food ingredient. While known for their prebiotic benefits, fructooligosaccharides are fundamentally made of specific sugar units arranged in short chains, giving them their unique properties for promoting gut health.