Indeed, this very idea, to fuel certain members of the intestinal microbial community
by carbohydrates indigestible for the human host is the prime focus of the prebiotic concept.
According to a recent definition a prebiotic is “a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-being and health”
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The prebiotic properties of hemicellulose derived carbohydrates such as xylo-oligosaccharides , manno-oligosaccharides and arabino-oligosaccharides have been investigated yielding promising results. Based on those findings, this work aimed to isolate oligosaccharides from hemicellulose rich agricultural wastes rice bran and cassava pulp.
The effects of obtained oligosaccharide mixtures on the in vitro growth of selected intestinal bacteria were investigated. In addition, the digestibility of the obtained oligosaccharide mixtures under simulated human intestinal conditions were also examined.