Title:Enrichment of Prebiotics in Foods Using Green Chemistry Approach
Volume: 18
Issue: 23
Author(s): Supriya Arunrao Yadav, Vaishali V. Agte and Smita S. Nilegaonkar
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Fructans, GOS, inulin, prebiotics, resistant starch, synthetic oligosaccharides.
Abstract: Prebiotics is an exciting concept in human nutrition and digestive function for which many physiological and
health claims have already been made. There are only few oligosaccharides like inulin, trans galacto-oligosaccharides and
lactulose which fulfil all the three strict criteria of prebiotics. The interest in the present prebiotic research has been to
justify the health claims of new and unexplored experimental materials using these criteria for prebiotics. Most of the
currently available prebiotics in the market are manufactured using chemical or synthetic approach. Synthetic
oligosaccharides use chemical processing like isomerisation of lactose for lactulose, trans-galactosylation of lactose for trans-galactooligosaccharides
and trans-fructosylation for production of oligofructose. Conversion of sucrose to fructose oligosaccharides is the
frequently used method. The enzymes like β-glucosidases, β-galactosidases, β-fructosidase are used for hydrolysis of polysaccharides
into oligosaccharides. Conversion of the normal starch to resistant nature is another approach for developing the prebiotics. Synthesis or
sequential extractions of prebiotic involve processing of materials with various chemicals. The chemical waste materials of such
processes are a big issue for disposal. Thus, use of current chemical approach for the oligosaccharide synthesis need to be reassessed and
modified. This can be done using green chemistry approach maintaining the safety issues for health. There is a need of research for
finding out better alternatives in production of prebiotics. Use of fruits and vegetables for multifunctional food supplements provides safe
alternative for improving the health. Present paper attempts the critical review of reported studies on prebiotic development with an
emphasis on green chemistry approaches.
