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Additives: Development and application of functional "oligosaccharides"
With the increasing understanding of the biological functions of sugar chains, glycobiology has emerged as a new frontier in science. Following genetic engineering and protein engineering, sugar engineering has become one of the most promising and dynamic biotechnology fields. As a novel class of physiologically active substances, functional oligosaccharides have attracted significant attention across various domains, including disease diagnosis and prevention, nutrition and health, plant growth and disease resistance, and animal husbandry. They are now playing a vital role in modern biotechnology, integrating with disciplines such as medicine, chemistry, and engineering, and contributing to key industries like food, pharmaceuticals, feed, and agriculture.
The development of functional oligosaccharides has opened up numerous industrial applications. By 2002, global production had reached 150,000 tons, creating a $40 billion market for functional foods and a $10 billion market for functional feed. The growing list of oligosaccharide-based drugs highlights vast business opportunities, while oligosaccharide pesticides and fertilizers are also gaining traction. Functional oligosaccharides have become a prominent feature in the global biotechnology industry. China, with its unique resources and strong demand in health, agriculture, and environmental protection, is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. By advancing research and developing independent technologies, China can not only enhance its academic standing but also foster a new and thriving industry.
**First, the biological significance and application value of functional oligosaccharides**
Sugars, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are the four major classes of compounds that make up living organisms. Among them, sugars are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are the most widely distributed and abundant in nature. They play an essential role in various physiological processes, with a wide range of chemical structures and biological functions. Historically, sugar research dates back to Emil Fischer's demonstration of the right-handed configuration of (+)-glucose in 1891. However, in recent decades, the rapid progress in protein and nucleic acid research overshadowed sugar studies due to the complexity of sugar structures and the challenges in their analysis and synthesis. This led to a misconception that sugars only function as structural or energy-storage materials, without participating in biological regulation.
However, recent discoveries have shown that glycosylation is essential for protein activity and various physiological processes. Since the 1970s, breakthroughs in sugar separation and structural analysis have driven rapid advancements in glycobiology. As an important subject in this field, oligosaccharides have been studied extensively, revealing their diverse effects and significance.
According to the "Industry Standard for General Technical Regulations of Functional Oligosaccharides" issued by the state in 1996, functional oligosaccharides are defined as:
1. Formed by polymerizing 2–10 identical or different monosaccharides.
2. Possessing common sugar characteristics, they can replace sucrose as a sweetener but are not degraded by stomach acid or enzymes and are not absorbed in the small intestine, reaching the large intestine instead.
3. Having physiological properties such as promoting the growth of Bifidobacterium in the human body.
In 1986, the University of Georgia, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, established the Center for Complex Sugar Research (CCRC), which has recorded 49,897 different oligosaccharide structures so far. The structural diversity of oligosaccharides presents both challenges and opportunities, offering a rich foundation for their functional roles in life activities and suggesting their potential as carriers of biological information.
**Second, the development of functional oligosaccharides**
In 1996, global oligosaccharide production was approximately 85,000 tons, mainly concentrated in Japan and European countries, with limited production in North America and South Korea. Before 1996, Chinese institutions had already conducted several years of research on functional oligosaccharides such as isomaltose, fructooligosaccharides, mannan oligosaccharides, and xylooligosaccharides, but industrialization was just beginning. In 1996, Shandong Yucheng successfully launched the first starch-based enzymatic conversion line for isomaltose production. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, Yongfeng Jinglun Co., Ltd. produced small batches of fructooligosaccharides using enzymatic methods.
After the "Ninth Five-Year Plan," China’s functional oligosaccharides developed into a significant industry, with products including isomaltose, fructooligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, and stachyose. By 2000, the total output reached about 30,000 tons, with isomaltose being the main product. That year, the state approved the industry standard for isomaltose and technical standards for functional oligosaccharides, significantly promoting the sector’s growth.
Currently, several regions in China have established production facilities for low-grade poly-alose maltose, such as Shandong Yucheng, Binzhou, Lishui, Dingtao, Henan Mengzhou, Zhejiang Hangzhou, and Xinjiang Urumqi. Fructooligosaccharide production takes place in Yunnan Kunming, Jiangsu Zhangjiagang, and Guangdong Jiangmen, while xylooligosaccharide production is still in trial stages.
**Table 1: Newly developed functional oligosaccharides and their structures, uses, and preparation methods**
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