Manufacture and Properties of Bifidogenic Saccharides Derived from Wood Mannan

Abstract

Pinus pinaster wood samples were subjected to double hydrothermal processing. The liquors coming from the second stage, containing soluble saccharides of polymeric or oligomeric nature from hemicelluloses (POHs), were subjected to membrane processing (operating in discontinuous diafiltration) for refining and fractionation. Refined POH fractions were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. The most complex POH component was made up of 14 hexoses and contained 4 acetyl groups. The fermentability of purified POHs by human fecal inocula was assessed by measuring both carbon source consumption and formation of short-chain fatty acids. The bifidogenic ability of POHs was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The stimulatory effects on the bifidobacterial population reached by POHs were of the same order as those obtained with commercial fructooligosaccharides.

Water-Soluble Components of Pinus pinaster Wood

“…Extraction of Pinus pinaster wood at 130 ºC has been proposed to remove watersoluble extractives while causing little hemicellulose decomposition (González-Muñoz et al 2011 and2012;Rivas et al 2012). Based on preliminary experimental data, extractions were also performed at 140 ºC in order to assess the expected benefits (increase in extraction yield) and disadvantages (increased hemicellulose solubilization) on a quantitative basis.…”

“…According to these findings, the separation of saccharides from non-saccharide compounds seems to be necessary in order to make profitable use of the extracts. The necessary refining steps would lead to purified oligo-and/or polymeric-saccharides derived from the hemicelluloses, for which applications as immunostimulatory agents, prebiotics, or radical-scavengers have been reported (Rivas et al 2012;Ebringerova et al 2008). Phenolic Compounds A variety of phenolic compounds were present in the extracts, including simple phenolics, phenolic stilbenoids, flavonoids, and lignans.…”

“…Because of this, an aqueous extraction under low severity conditions has been carried out prior to the hydrothermal stage in order to remove extractives (González-Muñoz et al 2011 and2012;Rivas et al 2012). In this context, a wood biorefinery involving water extraction (for extractive removal) followed by further hydrothermal processing (for hemicellulose solubilization) could be better implemented if the aqueous extracts contain value-added compounds that could contribute to the profitability of the whole process.…”

“…The fractionation of pine wood with hot, compressed water or steam has been considered in the literature, which is oriented either to the removal of extractives or to the manufacture of soluble saccharides from hemicelluloses (Shahbazi et al 2005;González-Muñoz et al 2011 and2012;Rivas et al 2012;Yoon et al 2008;Koell and Lenhardt 1987). The profitability of implementing stages to recover extractive-derived products in a biorefinery has been questioned (Van Ree and Annevelink 2007); however, it would be feasible if value-added products are present in the feedstock (or in process streams) above a given threshold, and can be separated efficiently.…”

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2011–2012

“…Water-extracted oligosaccharides TOF (DHB) Characterization and immunostimulating effects (Jiao et al, 2012) Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) Heteroxylans TOF (DHB), ESI Experimental details for structural characterization Pinus pinaster (Spanish conifer) Hemicelluloses Hydrolysis, TOF/TOF (DHB) Manufacture and properties of bifidogenic sugars. Potential food products (Rivas et al, 2012) Pinus taeda Galactoglucomannans…”