Applications of Isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) in Meals and Dishes
Produced from starch through enzymatic conversion and refining
Excellent heat stability for baking, frying and microwave cooking
Strong moisture retention keeping food tender and anti-staling
Prebiotic soluble dietary fibre selectively fermented by bifidobacteria
Applications of Isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) in Meals and Dishes
What Is Imorawel™Isomalto-oligosaccharides?
Prebiotic Fibre, Gentle Sweetness & Quality Enhancer
Imorawel™Isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) is a functional oligosaccharide manufactured from starch or starchy raw materials through enzymatic conversion, refining and concentration. Its main components are isomaltose, panose, isomaltotriose and higher oligosaccharides linked by alpha-1,6 glycosidic bonds. The finished product is a white to light-yellow powder with a mild, clean sweetness of about 50-60% that of sucrose.
IMO combines gentle sweetness, soluble dietary fibre and prebiotic function in a single functional ingredient, delivering sweetening power, fibre supply and digestive health benefits. In bakery and prepared foods, its strong heat stability and moisture-retention properties help manufacturers modernise traditional dishes while meeting clean-label expectations.
Health Benefits
Modulates the gut microbiota
IMO resists human gastric acid and digestive enzymes, reaches the large intestine intact, and is selectively fermented and utilised by beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria, promoting their proliferation and rebalancing the intestinal microflora.
Supports digestion and relieves constipation
Beneficial bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which lower intestinal pH, suppress harmful bacteria and stimulate bowel movement, improving digestion and easing constipation.
Promotes mineral absorption
IMO helps enhance the absorption of minerals including calcium, magnesium and iron, notably improving calcium uptake and supporting bone health.
Low-calorie and weight-management friendly
With an energy value of only 50-60% of sucrose, replacing part of the sugar with Imorawel™IMO reduces the total caloric content of foods, suiting weight-management and calorie-conscious consumers.
Tooth-friendly
IMO is not fermented by oral bacteria to produce acid and does not cause dental caries, making it suitable for children and oral-health-conscious consumers.
Application Advantages in Meals and Dishes
High heat stability for diverse dish processing
IMO withstands baking, frying and microwave heating and remains stable across bakery cakes, frozen prepared foods and savoury sauces.
Moisture retention and anti-staling performance
Its excellent water-holding capacity keeps bakery cakes soft and moist and prevents fillings of reheated frozen foods from drying out, retarding starch retrogradation and extending sensory shelf life.
Prebiotic fibre supports health claims
As a soluble dietary fibre and prebiotic, it raises the fibre content of meals and aligns with gut-health and digestive-wellness product positioning.
Mild sweetness with reduced calories
About half as sweet as sucrose with a clean sweetness and no bitter aftertaste, it lowers total caloric content without sacrificing palatability.
Improves sauce body and glaze adhesion
In sauces and glazes it supplies mild sweetness and body, helping form a glossy, clinging coating.
Clean label and broad applicability
Naturally derived from starch and non-cariogenic, it fits clean-label formulations across children's meals, bento side dishes and nutritious breakfasts.
Product Application Cases
Product Information
Brand: TableMark Obento! Shizenkaito de OK! | Company: TableMark (Japan)
Frozen side dish containing 5 bite-sized 25g units per pack (125g). Made with carefully selected Hokkaido Kurikabocha pumpkins; thaws naturally in a lunchbox or can be microwaved.
Key Ingredients
Application Value of Imorawel™IMO
Moisture retention in the filling, freeze-thaw and anti-staling: Added to the pumpkin filling, Imorawel™IMO's excellent water-holding capacity keeps the centre smooth and moist after frozen storage and thawing (including natural thawing), preventing dryness and preserving the crispy-outside, soft-inside texture.
Mild sweetness enhancing pumpkin flavour: At 50-60% of sucrose sweetness, it complements the natural sweetness of Hokkaido Kurikabocha pumpkin, delivering gentle sweetness without masking the vegetable's savoury note, in line with the product's upgraded vegetable-forward taste.
Heat stability: It remains stable during frying and microwave heating without decomposition or browning, ensuring consistent appearance and flavour.
Dietary fibre and prebiotic bonus: It adds soluble dietary fibre to this vegetable snack, enhancing its health profile in line with the healthification of bento side dishes.
Product Information
Brand: Orion C'est Bon! x Nestle Milo | Company: Orion Vina Food (Orion, Vietnam)
Complete breakfast combo featuring chicken flake & cheese cream breakfast cake (40.6g) + Milo cereal malt milk drink (180ml). High nutrient density tailored for students and children.
Key Ingredients
Application Value of Imorawel™IMO
Baking heat stability: IMO remains stable under high baking temperatures without decomposition, colour or texture impact, making it an ideal functional sweetening ingredient for bakery products.
Effective moisture retention for a soft cake: Its strong water-holding capacity keeps the ambient-stored cake soft and moist for longer, retarding staling and extending shelf life to suit ambient distribution.
Prebiotic fibre supporting the nutritious breakfast positioning: As a prebiotic soluble dietary fibre, it complements the product's high-calcium, high-protein, digestion-friendly positioning; its mineral-absorption-promoting property reinforces the bone-health claims of the calcium-fortified cake and milk drink.
Mild sweetness optimising the formula: Its gentle sweetness replaces part of the sucrose, reducing cloying sweetness and balancing the savoury-sweet profile of chicken flake and cheese cream.
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.
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
