Inulin and Oligofructose: soluble dietary fibres for feed.

BENEO is one of the few ingredient suppliers providing a specific feed-grade portfolio of inulin-type fructans derived from the chicory root: inulin and oligofructose. Over the last few decades, intestinal research on multiple species consistently demonstrated the prebiotic benefits of our ingredients. Healthy gut microbiota are key to efficient nutrient absorption, ensuring stable growth and wellbeing of all animal species.

With two state-of-the-art and food-certified processing plants in Belgium and Chile, we can continuously offer great flexibility and high product availability of dry and liquid variations of the purest quality.

Sourcing dietary soluble fibres, prebiotics from the chicory root.

The chicory root is processed for the purpose of creating highly concentrated inulin-based products because it contains one of the highest levels of crude inulin in comparison to other natural sources (±17 %). Inulin-type fructans are a good source of dietary soluble fibres.

After a hot-water extraction process, crude chicory inulin is purified and concentrated, comprising a long chain length. As native chicory inulin is less soluble, it can be hydrolysed enzymatically to obtain oligofructose fibres, that are characterised by their short chain length (DP<10). The latter benefits solubility and palatability.

The specific beta 2-1 glycosidic bound of inulin-type fructans is resistant to degradation by digestive enzymes. As a consequence, inulin and oligofructose end up almost intact in the lower intestine. They can only be fermented by strains of highly selective, beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, typically present in these lower gut structures. This makes them by definition genuine plant-based prebiotic compounds.

Our range of Functional Fibres.

With one of the best researched prebiotic fibres worldwide, we ensure optimal nutrient absorption and the overall well-being of farm animals and pets through all stages of life.

Our wide range of inulin-type fructans remains stable under thermal and acid conditions. They are available in dry or liquid form and offered in varying concentrations and grades of polymerisation. This allows us to customise our ingredient solutions to specific needs or technical requirements.

BENEO’s inulin and oligofructose have been frequently used worldwide as a prebiotic reference in scientific and animal performance trials. Moreover, in human nutrition our inulin holds the only proprietary health claim for the promotion of digestive health in the European Union.

(*) Fructan level in product, expressed in % dry matter typical composition, no specified value

In-depth information about Functional Fibres.