Arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide (AXOS)

Arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) are prebiotic carbohydrates produced through the partial hydrolysis of arabinoxylan, a major hemicellulose component in cereal cell walls such as wheat, rye, and barley (Broekaert et al., 2011). Functionally, AXOS serve as selective fermentation substrates for beneficial gut bacteria, primarily Bifidobacterium, which results in a significant increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate and propionate (Neyrinck et al., 2012). These SCFAs are critical for maintaining gut barrier integrity, lowering luminal pH to inhibit pathogens, and modulating systemic inflammation and glucose metabolism (Viggiano et al., 2015). Due to these properties, AXOS are being investigated for their therapeutic role in managing metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as for improving gastrointestinal health in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or chronic constipation (François et al., 2012). While AXOS are themselves therapeutic agents or dietary supplements rather than biological targets like receptors or enzymes, their interaction with the gut-microbiota-host axis represents a novel approach to treating chronic systemic diseases. Clinical research indicates that AXOS can also improve mineral absorption and provide antioxidant benefits, though high doses may lead to transient gastrointestinal side effects like flatulence (Walton et al., 2012).

Other names

Arabino-xylo-oligosaccharideWheat bran-derived oligosaccharideArabinoxylan-derived oligosaccharideAX-oligosaccharide

AXOS act as prebiotic substrates that undergo selective fermentation by beneficial anaerobic gut bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium species. This fermentation process leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which lower colonic pH, serve as energy sources for colonocytes, and modulate systemic metabolic and inflammatory pathways.