When we talk about foods that do more than just fill you up, like boosting your immune system or supporting digestion, we often refer to them as nutraceuticals. Think of milk enriched with vitamin D, or cereals with added fiber. Surprisingly, one of the most promising nutraceuticals is actually a carbohydrate: inulin.
Inulin is a type of dietary fiber found in many plants, like chicory and agave. Our bodies can’t digest it, but certain beneficial gut bacteria can. That makes inulin a prebiotic, meaning it helps feed the “good” bacteria in your gut.
Inulin does more than just support your microbiome. Recent research shows that its molecular structure, specifically the length of its sugar chains, can have important effects on health.
Inulin is made of chains of fructose molecules. These chains come in different lengths:
Short-chain inulin: 10-20 fructose units
Long-chain inulin: 20-60 units
The longer the chain, the more interesting the health effects. For example, long-chain inulin has been shown to act as an immune booster, improving how well certain vaccines work, like those for hepatitis B, influenza, and even HIV. It appears to activate immune cells gently, keeping them alert but not overactive.
Long-chain inulin is also being studied for its potential in:
Reducing colon inflammation
Supporting anti-cancer activity
Regulating genes involved in immune response
Although inulin is found in many plants, most natural sources contain mostly short-chain inulin. That’s a limitation when you're aiming for the full nutraceutical benefits of the long-chain version.
Here’s where science, and CarbExplore, comes in. Certain microbes, especially lactic acid bacteria, make special enzymes called inulosucrases. These enzymes can turn sucrose into long-chain inulin, or even extend the chain length of plant-derived inulin.
At CarbExplore, we’re researching the enzyme inulosucrase from Lactobacillus reuteri 121, a well-known probiotic. We’re investigating how this enzyme can help produce more long-chain inulin and how that could lead to new, more powerful nutraceutical applications.
In short: inulin is more than just fiber. With the right structure, it can help support immunity and gut health, and might even play a role in cancer prevention. And thanks to enzyme technology, we’re one step closer to unlocking its full potential.
Get in touch with our team to explore collaboration opportunities.
