Xylotriose

Xylotriose is a xylose-based oligosaccharide composed of three β-D-xylopyranose units connected by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It is the trisaccharide form of xylose and has two internal 1→4 linkages with a reducing end on the terminal sugar. As a member of xylooligosaccharides (XOS), xylotriose is part of a family of plant-derived carbohydrates that are not digested by human enzymes in the small intestine.

Xylotriose occurs naturally in plant cell walls and is produced commercially by the hydrolysis of xylan-containing materials, such as hardwoods or agricultural residues. In industrial preparations, it is often obtained as part of a mixture of XOS with varying degrees of polymerization. The estimated molecular weight of xylotriose is about 414 g/mol.

In terms of digestion, xylotriose is not cleaved by human salivary or pancreatic enzymes and reaches the colon largely intact. It is fermented by gut microbiota, contributing to the prebiotic effects associated with XOS. Fermentation by beneficial bacteria, including bifidobacteria, can lead to the production of short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites that influence colonic health.

Applications of xylotriose include its use as a prebiotic ingredient in foods and dietary supplements, frequently as part of xylooligosaccharide blends. It provides dietary fiber-like benefits, potential mild sweetness, and functional value as a component derived from xylan-rich biomass.