Galactooligosaccharide

Galactooligosaccharides (pronunciation: ga-lac-to-oli-go-sac-cha-rides) are a type of carbohydrate that are composed of short chains of galactose molecules. The term is derived from the Greek words 'galacto' meaning milk, 'oligo' meaning few, and 'saccharide' meaning sugar.

Definition

Galactooligosaccharides are non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improve host health.

Production

Galactooligosaccharides are produced from lactose, which is derived from milk, through the enzymatic activity of beta-galactosidase. This enzyme breaks the bond between glucose and galactose in lactose, allowing the galactose units to form short chains.

Uses

Galactooligosaccharides are used as a prebiotic dietary supplement and are added to infant formula to mimic the function of human milk oligosaccharides, which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Health Benefits

Galactooligosaccharides have been shown to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, improve bowel regularity, enhance immune function, and improve mineral absorption.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Galactooligosaccharide
Wikipedia's article - Galactooligosaccharide

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Galactooligosaccharide