FOSSENCE® is short chain fructo-oligosaccharide (scFOS), a soluble prebiotic dietary fibre. It is a well-known functional food ingredient and well-studied for prebiotic activity. As per FSSAI Compendium Nutra_29_09_21, prebiotic is a molecule that confer health benefits to the consumer by modulation of gut microbiota. Fermentation of scFOS in the large intestine promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus and other commensal probiotics, and as a result, many metabolites are produced that positively modulate the intestinal composition of microbiota and aid in building immunity. For this purpose, prebiotics like FOS, is already being used in infant formula.
Studies suggest that modulation of intestinal microbiota by prebiotics like FOS may reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompassing Ulcerative colitis (US) and Crohn’s disease (CD).
A review article on the therapeutic use of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics suggests that FOS can be a potential candidate for prebiotic therapy to prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Other than the modulation of colonic bacteria, it is suggested that prebiotic therapy may also improve intestinal motility.
According to the FSSAI (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, Soluble Dietary Fibre taken as part of a diet may help in the maintenance of normal lipid profile. ScFOS, being a soluble dieatry fibre may aid in the above mentioned function, as well.
