What are Isomalto-oligosaccharides?
Isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) are prebiotic carbohydrates composed of chains of glucose monomers linked by α-1,6 glycosidic bonds. IMOs are derived from isomaltooligosaccharides through enzymatic conversion of maltose or starch. The degree of polymerization (DP) of IMOs ranges from 2 to 10. Due to their shorter molecular chains, IMOs are resistant to acid and enzyme digestion in the human stomach and small intestine.
How are IMOs Produced?
Commercially, IMOs can be produced through the transglucosylation of maltose or starch using enzymes such as α-glucosidase or cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase). These enzymes facilitate the rearrangement of the glycosidic linkages in maltose or starch, resulting in the formation of IMOs. The production process involves substrate selection, enzyme immobilization through covalent bonding or entrapment, optimization of reaction parameters such as temperature, pH and substrate concentration, and purification of the final IMO product. Advances in biotechnology have enabled large-scale enzymatic production of customized Isomalto-oligosaccharide mixtures with defined chain lengths and compositions.
Health Benefits of IMOs
Selective Feeding of Beneficial Bacteria: Due to their resistance to digestion, IMOs can pass through the upper gastrointestinal tract undigested and serve as food for the beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, such as Bifidobacterium species and Lactobacillus species. Studies show IMOs selectively stimulate the growth and activity of these probiotic bacteria, resulting in an improved balance of intestinal microbiota.
Promotion of Digestive Health: The proliferation of beneficial bacteria due to IMO consumption helps suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, lower the pH in the gut, and promote regular bowel movements. This can relieve or prevent common digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. IMOs may also offer protection against intestinal infections by competing with pathogens for adhesion sites in the gut.
Prevention of Traveler's Diarrhea: Several clinical trials have found that supplementation with IMOs before and during travel can reduce the incidence and duration of traveler's diarrhea by 40-60% compared to placebo. This protective effect is attributed to IMOs selectively increasing numbers of probiotic bacteria to crowd out potential pathogens.
Enhancement of Immune Function: Probiotic bacteria ferment IMOs in the gut and produce short-chain fatty acids like acetate, propionate and butyrate as end products. These fatty acids have wide-ranging effects on human health as they regulate immune cell development and activity, lower inflammation and strengthen epithelial barrier integrity. This can boost natural defenses against infectious diseases.
Reduction of Allergic Sensitization: Some research indicates IMOs may prevent allergic sensitization by maintaining adequate numbers of probiotic bacteria early in life. Probiotic metabolites support appropriate development of immune tolerance. Animal studies show IMOs can inhibit IgE production and development of allergic rhinitis and asthma-like symptoms triggered by airway exposure to allergens.
Potential Role in Weight Management: Preliminary animal and human studies show IMOs may promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite by stimulating gut hormone release. They also lead to production of more propionate in the large intestine, which appears to inhibit liver fatty acid synthesis. IMOs could potentially aid in weight control when combined with calorie restriction. However, more extensive research is still needed.
Safety of IMOs
Isomalto-oligosacchar are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in foods. They are not absorbed or metabolized by humans and pass safely through the gastrointestinal tract. Even at high doses, IMOs do not affect fecal properties, gastrointestinal functions or stool frequency. No adverse events or side effects have been reported with IMO consumption in numerous clinical trials involving both healthy adults and children. IMOs are stable under normal storage conditions, retaining their prebiotic properties without degradation. Overall, available evidence confirms IMOs have an excellent safety profile for use as a food ingredient and dietary supplement.
Due to their selective prebiotic activity, isomalto-oligosaccharides offer a wide array of health benefits for digestive, immune and metabolic function when consumed as part of a balanced diet. As non-digestible carbohydrates, IMOs promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria without affecting blood glucose or calorie levels. Various clinical investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of IMOs in relieving constipation, supporting regular bowel movements, preventing traveler’s diarrhea and possibly aiding weight management. With no safety concerns reported, IMOs can be safely consumed by both healthy individuals and those managing chronic health conditions. Looking ahead, continued research will help elucidate additional roles of IMOs in human health and disease prevention.
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