Trends in the Use of Plant Non-Starch Polysaccharides within Food, Dietary Supplements, and Pharmaceuticals: Beneficial Effects on Regulation and Wellbeing of the Intestinal Tract

Abstract

As the demand for healthy products targeted to prevent or ameliorate bowel disease and digestive disorders of the intestinal tract is increasing, this review describes non-starch polysaccharides, such as β-glucan, arabinoxylan, galactomannan, fructan, and heteropolysaccarides from mucilages, as useful sources for adequate and tailor-made products aimed for regulation of the colon and wellbeing effects on the gut microbiota. Their monosaccharide composition, structure, molecular dimensions, physicochemical characteristics and growth stimulation of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the gut microbiota is reported. Arabinoxylan from wheat and rye grains is discussed as an ingredient for gluten and lectin-free bread and baked goods. Galactomannans from legumes and their partially hydrolysed products are presented as sources for specific healthy products against bowel disease and digestive discomfort. Commercial fructan products obtained from inulin, fructan of agave, and fructooligosaccharides are discussed in detail as a selective substrate for fermentation by health-promoting bacteria in the colon, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Structurally different heteropolysaccharides from mucilages of traditional medicinal plants, such as seeds from psyllium, flax, chan, chia, and basil or cladodes from Opuntia spp., are discussed as useful sources of dietary fibre, with prebiotic characteristics and digestive regulation in the intestinal tract as well.

Preliminary evaluation of potential prebiotic capacity of selected legumes and seed mucilage on the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

“…The degree of hydrolysis of the selected legumes was higher than both seed mucilage and FOS, indicating that the seed mucilage has a higher resistance towards acid hydrolysis as compared to the selected legume flour. The lower degree of hydrolysis displayed by flaxseed mucilage could be due to the higher hetero-polysaccharide (70%) such as galactomannan as compared to chia seed mucilage (65%) (Cruz-Rubio et al, 2018). Galactomannan is resistance towards gastric acid and digestive enzymes, hence improving the degree of hydrolysis (Majeed et al, 2018a).…”

Gastroprotective effect of mucilage fraction from Solenostemma argel via cytoprotection and attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

“…Plant mucilage as a chemical class of polysaccharides has obtained abundant interest nowadays due to their numerous applications in pharmacy (1), as well in pharmaceutical and food industries (2). They could be used for treatment of musculoskeletal, urinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immunomodulation, and skin disorders through oral or topical forms (3).…”