Gut health is an increasing focus for consumers, and food and beverage manufacturers are responding to the demand.
Within the biotics landscape, prebiotics have gained recognition as essential nutrients for gut health. Prebiotics are carbohydrates that are indigestible by humans but are food for beneficial organisms that live in the human gut, also known as probiotics. As essential energy and fuel for probiotics, prebiotics contribute to a healthier, more balanced gut microbiome.¹
Between September 2019 and 2024, product launches featuring prebiotic claims increased by 210%, reflecting increasing consumer awareness of the importance of gut health and the desire for functional food and beverages, and supplements, that promote health benefits.²
“As consumer awareness of the importance of prebiotics grows, we expect to see more prebiotic fiber incorporated into a wider variety of products already a part of people’s daily routines,” says Loula Merkel, COMET CEO.
In a competitive market, on-pack claims, and science-backed certifications are essential for ensuring product efficacy and building consumer trust. Independent validation provides quality assurance and transparency, helping consumers distinguish between credible claims and marketing hype.
Increasingly, consumers also seek products made from ingredients that are sourced and produced in a sustainable way, with research showing a material link between ESG-claims and consumer spending.³ Ingredients derived from upcycled sources, for example, are shown to resonate with eco-conscious consumers, especially when they offer a dual benefit of functionality and sustainability. This trend can specifically be seen in younger generations, where 59% buy upcycled products.⁴
Prebiotics: Challenges for manufacturers
While prebiotic ingredients can support a range of health benefits, their commercial production for the food and beverage industry can pose a range of challenges for manufacturers. Prebiotics are generally sensitive to heat, moisture, and pH changes, and ensuring their stability during processing and storage is crucial for maintaining their efficacy.⁵
During commercial production, there is also the potential for inefficiency and waste. Inulin, for example, can degrade during certain manufacturing processes, such as RTD hot filling.⁶ Some processes use a higher dose in formulations to counteract this potential loss. This can lead to increased resource waste and production costs and can have a negative impact on sustainability.
A key issue with this breakdown is that when the inulin polymer breaks down it turns into fructose sugar. This calls into question the label integrity of beverages that add a fiber before bottling that ends up a sugar in the final bottle.
For consumers, tolerability of prebiotic ingredients is a key factor: a higher dose in a product can lead to bloating, gas, or other digestive discomfort for those who may be sensitive to these ingredients.⁷
COMET’s Merkel shares more on the basic mechanism behind prebiotic fibers in the gut. “Fermentation of prebiotic fibers in the gut produces beneficial short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which then impart their powerful digestive health benefits. Fermentation, however, causes gas production, which can generate gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort in some individuals. It would be important for food manufacturers to optimize consumer experience by using fibers that have better tolerability.”
Overcoming these technical production hurdles requires novative solutions and advanced ingredient technologies.
Certifications that boost consumer confidence
Arrabina® is a plant-based gut health ingredient that confers prebiotic benefits, designed to address the growing need for prebiotics which are easy for consumers to digest and tolerate. In November 2024, the ingredient gained NutraStrong™ Prebiotic Verified certification, at a dose of only 3.6g per day, underscoring its efficacy and commitment to excellence in brand quality and transparency.
“By upcycling the abundant and naturally occurring plant nutrition currently underutilized in our food system, we are creating a scalable and sustainable alternative to meet the needs of our growing planet.”
Andrew Richard, COMET Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Arrabina® is a non-GMO, gluten-free FDA-recognized fiber, containing a natural blend of prebiotics including arabinoxylans, lignin and polyphenols. Arabinoxylans are abundant in nature, making up about 70% of the soluble fiber naturally found in grains.⁸
And thanks to a steam-extraction process that pulls from wheat straw – which would otherwise be agricultural waste – it is also an Upcycled Certified™ Ingredient (UI) thereby aligning with consumer demand for products that are both science-backed and produced in a sustainable way.
COMET Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Richard, PhD, adds: “By upcycling the abundant and naturally occurring plant nutrition currently underutilized in our food system, we are creating a scalable and sustainable alternative to meet the needs of our growing planet.”
As a fully soluble powder with naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant content, Arrabina® has clinically proven metabolic health benefits at a low dose, and exceptional tolerability, even at four or more servings per day.
“Research shows that 90% of Americans – or about 300 million – do not get enough fiber, but a single serving size of soluble arabinoxylan fiber, can help fill that gap. To illustrate that difference, it would be five cups of wheat bran cereal versus a single 3.6 gram serving of soluble arabinoxylan fiber,” shares Hannah Ackermann, Registered Dietitian and VP of Marketing & Nutrition Affairs with COMET.
Arrabina® is also low in FODMAPs, a category of carbohydrates that can cause digestive discomfort in people with sensitivity (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome). The arabinoxylan long-chain polysaccharide structure means it is well tolerated by the gut, as it is digested further down in the GI tract. Another benefit of the longer chain ensures it is less susceptible to degradation in low pH and high temperature cooking applications, addressing a common challenge for manufacturers.
High tolerability and benefits at low dose
Results from a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, published in academic journal Current Developments in Nutrition, confirm the superior GI tolerability of Arrabina®.⁹ The trial consisted of 36 healthy individuals who consumed Arrabina® at 7.5 grams or 15 grams per day or a placebo.
The study ranked eight areas for gut and bowel discomfort including gas, bloating, and nausea to compare any potential differences in GI tolerance of the three treatments. Results showed that even at a high dosage of 15 grams per day, there were no statistical differences in GI distress between the participants taking Arrabina® versus those taking the placebo.
The ingredient’s potency was confirmed in an ex vivo trial. Key fermentation parameters were assessed at 24 hours after introduction of test products in colonic environment of human adults, as simulated with the ex vivo Sifr® Technology. Results showed that Arrabina® promotes abundant SCFA production and the growth of diverse beneficial bacteria, including bifidobacteria, Prevoltellaceae and Acidaminococcus-ceae, among others.
“With its excellent solubility, low viscosity and low dose inclusion rate, Arrabina® offers an easy way for manufacturers to create delicious products while strengthening nutrition labels and sustainability claims,” adds Merkel.
Versatility in food and beverage application
For manufacturers, Arrabina®’s versatility naturally lends itself to be easily incorporated into any food or beverage application, including carbonated beverages and gummies, and products where there is a need to add fiber. As a fully soluble and flavorless powder that has low viscosity, it offers easy formulation tolerance for manufacturers while also being heat and pH resistant.
“Arrabina® dietary fibers were specifically developed to fill the market need for a low-dose prebiotic fiber that can fit every formulation need with no trade-offs in terms of cost, taste, or performance. Inclusion of Arrabina® also comes with expedited use of clinical, sustainability and content claims on product labels,” concludes COMET’s Richard.
“With its excellent solubility, low viscosity and low dose inclusion rate, Arrabina® offers an easy way for manufacturers to create delicious products while strengthening nutrition labels and sustainability claims.”
Loula Merkel, COMET CEO
By working directly with manufacturers in the food and beverage space, the team at COMET is committed to creating high quality, validated products. Arrabina® is well positioned to address both consumer needs and help manufacturers innovate new and delicious products while strengthening nutrition labels and sustainability claims, thereby leveraging success in the prebiotic space.
References
1. Davani-Davari, D.; et al. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92.
2. Mintel GNPD, September 2019-September 2024. Referenced in Arrabina® Gains NutraStrong™ Prebiotic Verified Product Certification.
3. McKinsey & Company. Consumers care about sustainability—and back it up with their wallets.
4. PCIAW. Sustainable Retail: How Gen-Z are leading the pack.
5. SupplySide Supplement Journal. Navigating ‘biotics’: Challenges and trends in probiotic and prebiotic formulations.
6. Böhm, A.; et al. Heat-induced degradation of inulin. European Food Research and Technology. 220(5):466-471.
7. Szczuko, M.; et al. The Association of Short-Chain Fatty Acids with the Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Infants. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(23):12487.
8. Wang J.; et al. Cereal-derived arabinoxylans: Structural Features and Structure–activity Correlations. Trends in Food Science & Technology. Vol.96, pp 157-165. February 2020.
9. Chen O.; et al. The Effect of Arabinoxylan on Gastrointestinal Tolerance in Generally Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. Curr Dev Nutr 2021;5(Supplement_2), 304–304.