Xylooligosaccharides: prebiotic potential from agro-industrial residue, production strategies and prospects

The use of agro-industrial residue in new processes has encouraged the development of biotechnological strategies to obtain biomolecules. Lignocellulosic materials are rich in xylan and can be used as an alternative and inexpensive source for xylooligosaccharide (XOS) production, contributing to the sustainable generation of products with high added-value. This article provides an overview of recent methodological strategies for XOS production, their health benefits as prebiotics, purification, and technological properties for industrial application. Classified as non-digestible, XOS are prebiotics and can be used as functional foods, promoting health benefits. The main advantages of XOS include the selective stimulation of beneficial microorganisms, the suppression of pathogenic bacteria and reduction of toxic compounds from the metabolism. XOS are produced from a wide diversity of lignocellulosic materials by chemical, physical and enzymatic methods, or by a combination of them. Physicochemical methods can generate undesirable byproducts, and/or a large amount of monosaccharides, and result in a more difficult purification, while enzymatic hydrolysis allows milder process conditions because the reactions are specific and less pollutant residues are generated. Technological and nutritional approaches for XOS production which allow their use in different food and pharmaceutical products, and which stimulate the dissemination of researches in other technological areas, have also been discussed.

Automated summary

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are produced from lignocellulosic materials through various methods and have health benefits as prebiotics. Their selective stimulation of beneficial microorganisms and suppression of pathogenic bacteria contribute to their potential industrial applications. The use of enzymatic methods for XOS production is preferred due to milder process conditions and less generation of pollutant residues.