Mini-Review: The potential of raffinose as a prebiotic

Abstract

Prebiotics are dietary fiber components that cannot be digested by the human gastrointestinal tract but can be selectively fermented by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, prebiotics provides health effects for humans. The specificity of prebiotics is determined by the bacteria that are specifically capable of fermenting the prebiotic substrate. The characteristics of prebiotic substrate need to be investigated in-vitro and in-vivo to determine the function and effectiveness of the substrate as a prebiotic. The prebiotic production process must be able to keep the prebiotic components stable. Raffinose is an oligosaccharide that has potential as a prebiotic. This article will discuss raffinose chemical structure, degrading enzymes, and health benefits as a prebiotic. Raffinose consists of 3 monomers, namely α-D-galactose, α-D-glucose, and α-D-fructose. Substrates containing raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are the source of raffinose. Those substrates can be degraded to raffinose by the α-1,6-galactosidase. Raffinose can increase the growth of lactic acid bacteria, suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), reduce constipation, inhibit the formation of putrefactive compounds from protein, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.