Applications of Isomaltooligosaccharides in Food Industry
Applications of Isomaltooligosaccharides in Food Industry
What are Isomaltooligosaccharides?
Functional Prebiotic, Enhanced Health
Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) is a product made from starch or starch-based raw materials through enzymatic conversion, purification, concentration, and other processes. Its main components are isomaltose, panose, isomaltotriose, and higher oligosaccharides linked by α-1,6-glycosidic bonds.
Compared to regular sucrose, isomaltooligosaccharides have a caloric value approximately 50-60% of sucrose (approximately 2.0-2.4 kcal/g), categorized as a low-calorie sweetener. Production occurs through starch hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions, using corn starch, potato starch, or cassava starch as raw materials.
As prebiotic functional ingredients derived from natural starch, isomaltooligosaccharides selectively promote beneficial bacteria proliferation and improve intestinal health, making them ideal for clean label formulations that consumers trust and prefer.
Health Benefits
Prebiotic Effects
Not decomposed by gastric acid and digestive enzymes, can reach large intestine intact, selectively fermented and utilized by beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria, promoting intestinal probiotics proliferation.
Improved Digestive Function
By promoting beneficial bacteria proliferation, producing short-chain fatty acids, lowering intestinal pH, inhibiting harmful bacteria growth, improving digestive function, and relieving constipation.
Enhanced Immunity
Improvement in intestinal flora helps enhance intestinal mucosal barrier function and promotes secretion of immunoglobulin A (IgA), thereby enhancing overall immunity.
Promoted Mineral Absorption
Can promote absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, particularly improving calcium absorption rates, contributing to bone health.
Application Advantages
Prebiotic Claims
Enables "prebiotic" or "promotes digestion" functional claims on products, enhancing product added value and market competitiveness.
Reduced Calories
Low-calorie properties can reduce total snack calories, developing low-calorie snacks meeting fat loss and weight management demands.
Mild Taste
Moderate sweetness with mild flavor that doesn't mask other flavors, coordinates well with various ingredients.
Real-World Applications
Product Information
Brand: One | Company: Hershey
Protein bar with 18g protein and only 3g sugar per bar. Collaborates with Hershey's brand using cookie bits. Kosher and gluten-free certified. Smartlabel QR code for nutritional transparency.
Key Ingredients
Isomaltooligosaccharides Value
Prebiotic Function: As a prebiotic, can promote proliferation of intestinal probiotics, supporting product health functional positioning.
Reduced Sugar: Works with other sugar alcohols to reduce total sugar content, achieving low-sugar claims with only 3g sugar per protein bar.
Improved Texture: Moisture retention helps maintain protein bar moisture, preventing dryness and improving mouthfeel.
Product Information
Brand: Kameda Seika Kotsubukko | Company: Kameda Seika
Limited edition rice crackers with honey butter flavor. Deep-fried process for crispy texture. Positioned as "rich snack for coffee time." Individual small packet design for portability.
Key Ingredients
Isomaltooligosaccharides Value
Reduced Sugar: Works with white sugar and other syrups to reduce total sugar content, helping achieve sugar reduction goals.
Flavor Balance: Mild sweetness balances honey and butter flavors, creating harmonious flavor layers and avoiding excessive sweetness.
Product Information
Brand: Liang Pin Pu Zi / Bestore | Company: Liang Pin Pu Zi - Bestore
Hawthorn candy combining traditional digestive aid ingredients. Uses selected Yimeng Mountain and Chengde hawthorn. Raw fruit puree preserving natural flavor. Ready-to-eat convenience.
Key Ingredients
Isomaltooligosaccharides Value
Prebiotic Claims: As prebiotic ingredient, supports product "prebiotic" claims, enhancing product health functionality.
Promoted Digestion: Prebiotic function works synergistically with hawthorn's digestive aid function, dual-effect promoting digestive health.
Improved Intestinal Health: Through promoting beneficial bacteria proliferation, improves intestinal microecology, complementing hawthorn's health concept.
Product Information
Brand: Yamaei | Company: Yamaei Shokuhin Industrial
Highly innovative kelp candy using traditional seaweed ingredient. Natural marine flavor rich in iodine and minerals. Amino acid fortified with complex seasoning. Premium positioning.
Key Ingredients
Isomaltooligosaccharides Value
Reduced Sugar: Works with white sugar and honey to reduce total sugar content, helping achieve sugar reduction goals.
Improved Texture: Moisture retention helps maintain moderate candy moisture, preventing excessive hardness or softness.
Flavor Balance: Mild sweetness balances seaweed's marine flavor, soy sauce's savory flavor, vinegar's sour taste, creating harmonious flavor layers.
Company Introduction
Leading Global Manufacturer of Functional Sweeteners Since 1997
Baolingbao Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is a leading global manufacturer specializing in the R&D, manufacturing, and solution services of functional carbohydrates. Founded in 1997, we are focused on enzyme engineering and fermentation engineering, serving customers across more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.
In 2009, we became the first functional sugar company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 002286) in China's A-share market. Today, we have established deep strategic partnerships with major global customers including Coca-Cola, Danone, Yili Group, and Perfect (China).The company operates on a site spanning 300 acres, with an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons and a workforce of 1,300 employees.
Advanced R&D Capabilities
Possessing 9 R&D platforms including national enterprise technology center, national-local joint engineering lab, and postdoctoral research workstation. Expert team composed of academicians, Taishan Scholars, and overseas experts.
Global Market Presence
Products exported to over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Strategic partnerships with majority of core customers across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement industries.
World-Class Manufacturing
Baolingbao's production infrastructure is characterized by a high degree of automation, intelligence, and digitalization. The company has made substantial investments in key facilities, including drying towers, pharmaceutical-grade sugar production lines, digital erythritol plants, and intelligent stereo warehouses. Featuring internationally sourced technologies and advanced control systems, these initiatives have enhanced production efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and enabled full traceability across the supply chain.In support of sustainable operations, Baolingbao manages 40,000 mu (approximately 2,667 hectares) of regenerative agricultural planting bases and generates 10 million kWh of photovoltaic power annually.
Comprehensive Quality Assurance
First batch to pass FDA on-site audit. Certified with GMP, GRAS, HALAL, Kosher, Organic (US & EU standards), ISO9001/22000/14000/45001. End-to-end food safety from farm to table.
Innovation & Industry Leadership
Over 260 patent applications submitted with 97 patents granted and more than 70 core technologies developed. Actively participated in formulation of 1 international standard and over 30 national standards.
Contact Us
baolingbao@blb-cn.com
