Vibrant gut microbiome thriving with fructooligosaccharides (FOS).

Unlocking the Power of Prebiotics: How Microbial Screening Could Revolutionize Gut Health

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Nico Varela in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Researchers are diving deep into the world of microbes to find new ways to produce fructooligosaccharides (FOS), the unsung heroes of digestive wellness."


In the ever-evolving landscape of health and nutrition, prebiotics are gaining prominence for their profound impact on gut health and overall wellness. Among these, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stand out due to their low caloric value and numerous health benefits. These unique sugars, not easily digested by the human body, serve as a feast for the beneficial bacteria residing in our intestines, promoting a balanced and thriving gut microbiome.

The rising demand for FOS has spurred significant interest in identifying efficient and sustainable production methods. One promising avenue lies in the exploration of microbial sources capable of producing fructosyltransferase (Ftase), the enzyme responsible for synthesizing FOS. This enzyme transforms sucrose into FOS, making it a critical component in prebiotic production. Consequently, researchers are meticulously screening various microorganisms to pinpoint those with the highest Ftase-producing potential.

A recent study delved into the preliminary and secondary screening of microbial isolates to determine their Ftase-producing capabilities. The research encompassed a diverse range of microorganisms, including molds, yeasts, and bacteria, to identify the most potent FOS producers. The findings from this study shed light on the potential of specific microbial strains to revolutionize the production of FOS, paving the way for enhanced gut health and overall well-being.

The Microbial Hunt: Screening for Fructosyltransferase Producers

Vibrant gut microbiome thriving with fructooligosaccharides (FOS).

The study embarked on a comprehensive screening process, initially focusing on three primary classes of microorganisms: molds, yeasts, and bacteria. These microorganisms were qualitatively assessed for their ability to produce Ftase. The preliminary screening unveiled molds as the frontrunners, exhibiting the most substantial zone of hydrolysis, a clear indicator of their enzymatic activity. The zone of hydrolysis for molds ranged from 0.30 ± 0.10 to 2.58 ± 0.10 cm, underscoring their potential as robust Ftase producers.

Following the preliminary assessment, the researchers narrowed their focus to 20 selected mold isolates for secondary screening. This phase involved liquid batch cultures to quantitatively evaluate Ftase production. The study identified four isolates— Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus stallus, and Aspergillus versicolor—that demonstrated particularly high fructosyltransferase-to-invertase ratios. This ratio is crucial because it indicates higher transferase activity and lower hydrolytic activity, essential for efficient FOS synthesis.

  • Aspergillus niger: Showcased the highest Ftase activity at 36.88 ± 0.23 IU/mg.
  • Aspergillus flavus: Produced a Ftase activity of 21.45 ± 0.33 IU/mg.
  • Aspergillus stallus: Demonstrated a Ftase activity of 18.09 ± 0.14 IU/mg.
  • Aspergillus versicolor: Exhibited a Ftase activity of 23.78 ± 0.12 IU/mg.
Notably, these impressive results were achieved without any cultural medium optimization, suggesting even greater potential with refined cultivation techniques. The identification of these high-performing microbial isolates marks a significant step forward in optimizing FOS production, which could have far-reaching implications for the food and health industries.

The Future is FOS: Implications and Applications

Given that FOS has already achieved GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, these findings hold significant promise for the future of Ftase enzyme production, ultimately enhancing FOS synthesis. The screening experiments underscored the potential of microbes, particularly molds, as valuable sources for Ftase production, an increasingly vital component in the food industry for prebiotic synthesis. As researchers continue to seek novel Ftase-producing microbes, experiments like this play a crucial role in identifying strains that can be optimized for maximum FOS yield. Further refinements in cultural medium and optimization strategies could unlock even greater potential, paving the way for widespread availability of this essential prebiotic.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/ajmr2014.7346, Alternate LINK

Title: Screening Of Microbial Isolates For Extracellular Fructosyltransferase Production

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: African Journal of Microbiology Research

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: A Belorkar Seema, K Gupta A, Rai Vibhuti

Published: 2015-03-11

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and why are they important?

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are unique sugars, not digested by the human body, that feed beneficial bacteria in the intestines, promoting a balanced gut microbiome. In the context of this research, FOS is important because it serves as the target of the research, aiming to improve its production to enhance gut health. The implications are that increased FOS availability could lead to better digestive health and overall well-being.

2

What role does Fructosyltransferase (Ftase) play in this research?

Fructosyltransferase (Ftase) is an enzyme that converts sucrose into FOS. This research focuses on identifying microorganisms that produce Ftase efficiently. The significance of Ftase lies in its role as the critical component in the creation of FOS, which is a prebiotic. The identification of high-Ftase-producing microorganisms is vital for optimizing FOS synthesis, impacting the food and health industries.

3

What was the screening process used to identify Ftase producers?

The study screened molds, yeasts, and bacteria to identify those with high Ftase-producing capabilities. Preliminary screening focused on identifying zones of hydrolysis, with molds showing the most substantial activity. The importance of this screening process is to pinpoint the most efficient sources of Ftase. The implications include the potential to identify specific microbial strains like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus stallus, and Aspergillus versicolor that can revolutionize FOS production.

4

How did the researchers evaluate the Ftase production of the selected microorganisms?

The secondary screening phase involved liquid batch cultures to quantitatively assess Ftase production. Four isolates, including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus stallus, and Aspergillus versicolor, demonstrated particularly high fructosyltransferase-to-invertase ratios. This stage is crucial for measuring and comparing the Ftase production capabilities of different microorganisms. The identification of these isolates allows researchers to find the most promising sources for large-scale FOS production, potentially enhancing prebiotic availability.

5

What were the key findings regarding Ftase production among the tested microorganisms?

The study found that Aspergillus niger exhibited the highest Ftase activity. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus stallus, and Aspergillus versicolor also showed significant Ftase production. The findings underscore the potential of molds as valuable sources for Ftase production, which is vital for prebiotic synthesis. These findings hold promise for the future of Ftase enzyme production, enhancing FOS synthesis and improving gut health, which is considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).

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