food industry

Larch Arabinogalactan in Food industry (known also as Galactoarabinan).

Physico-chemical and biological properties of larch arabinogalactan, also known as Galactoarabinan, determine the spheres of application in food industry. Thus, Arabinogalactan is used in food industry in following directions: 

• As thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier: For this direction the most important properties of arabinogalactan are highly water solubility (larch arabinogalactan readily disperses in a hot or cold beverage, remains clear in solution and does not precipitate out of solution); larch arabinogalactan produces low-viscosity solutions that have minimal impact on mouthfeel and viscosity; the ability of arabinogalactan to bind fat and hold water as well as to influence on gluten quality.
• As the source of soluble dietary fiber: Arabinogalactan is the source of dietary fiber and soluble cellulose. Due to its hygroscopicity (the ability to absorb water) arabinogalactan has a beneficial influence on digestible food that could avoid number of large intestine diseases. Prebiotic fibers, such as larch arabinogalactan, provide the benefits of traditional fibers, with the ability to increase beneficial microflora, thus improving gastrointestinal heath. The dietary fibers create the favorable conditions for the growth of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the intestines, which are important for GI Tract health.
• As food dietary additive for production of food product with pharmaceutical properties In past years the development of so called functional foodstuffs (products having the additional prophylactic properties) holds the particular position in food industry. Arabinogalactan as a prebiotic promotes the growth of “friendly” bifid bacterium and short-chain fatty acids, required for the maintenance of the normal function of gastrointestinal tract.