| [ Summary ] |
A variety of oligosaccharides, including maltooligosaccharides, trehalose, palatinose, fructooligosaccharides have been developed and marketed in Japan in the last twenty years. The annual production of these oligosaccharides amounts to 60,000 tons, which accounts for sales of one point five million yen. Most of these oligosaccharides have been shown to exhibit special physiological functions besides their role in foods as sweeteners. Fructooligosaccharides exhibit a high degree of activity enhancing Bifidobacterium in our intestines and also controling serum cholesterol when ingested. Palatinose displays preventive abilities, guarding against the development of dental plaque, when taken with sucrose. Trehalose was shown to be utilized by Bifidobacterium in the large intestine, producing short chain fatty acids, which accelerate the absorption of calcium. Isomaltooligosaccharides stimulate macrophage activity in dexamethasone-treated mice. Chitosan oligosaccharides reduced the serum glucose level, probably by increasing hepatic functioning in obese mice. Agarooligosaccharides control the growth of tumor cells transplanted into nude mice. The approval system used by the government for "Foods for Special Health Use" was initiated in 1991 in Japan and about half of the approved foods contain special oligosaccharides, with claims being made for their special health benefits. |