Fructooligosaccharides: A Comprehensive Review on Their Microbial Source, Functional Benefits, Production Technology, and Market Prospects
Giancarlo de Souza Dias, Ana Carolina Vieira, Gabriel Baioni e Silva, Nicole Favero Simões, Thais S. Milessi, Larissa Santos Saraiva, Michelle da Cunha Abreu Xavier, Andreza Aparecida Longati, Maria Filomena de Andrade Rodrigues, Sérgio Fernandes, Elda Sabino da Silva, Alfredo Eduardo Maiorano, Sergio Andrés Villalba Morales, Rodrigo Corrêa Basso, Rafael Firmani Perna
Abstract
Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are carbohydrates of high nutritional value with various prebiotic properties. Optimizing their production process is of significant interest for expanding commercial-scale production. This review discusses the properties and potential applications of FOSs, addressing production challenges and providing an economic market analysis. Bibliometric analysis of data concerning the functional properties, production, purification, and applications of FOSs revealed an over 87% increase in the number of worldwide publications from 2012 to 2022, rising from 88 to 165. Furthermore, contributions from ninety-three countries were identified up to 2024, with Brazil ranking first, with 326 publications. Furthermore, Aureobasidium sp. and Aspergillus sp. have shown the best results for FOS production, with reported conversion in the order of 0.66 g FOS/g sucrose. Nevertheless, the formation of by-products or co-products requiring separation from the medium remains a challenge. Activated carbon, cation exchange resins, and zeolites are highlighted as key adsorbents, with the adsorption process achieving FOS purity exceeding 90%. Furthermore, membrane technology is identified as a more efficient and promising separation method. Addressing these limitations will facilitate the further expansion of the growing global FOS market, promoting a sustainable approach and their integration with biorefineries, which can enable the development of a wider range of value-added products.