Current Biotechnology ›› 2026, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (2): 267-276.DOI: 10.19586/j.2095-2341.2025.0137

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Research Progress on the Separation, Analysis and Pharmacological Activities of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides

Pan GUO1(), Jiaying YANG2, Lifeng HAN2, Zhifei FU1()   

  1. 1.Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Tianjin 301617,China
    2.Instrumental Analysis and Research Center,Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Tianjin 301617,China
  • Received:2025-10-13 Accepted:2025-11-19 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2026-04-27
  • Contact: Zhifei FU

Abstract:

Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are a class of functional oligosaccharides widely present in plant tissues, primarily including raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose. In recent years, RFOs have garnered sustained attention from both academia and industry due to their diverse physiological activities and broad application potential. Studies have shown that RFOs exhibit significant prebiotic properties, selectively promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, regulating intestinal microecological balance, and demonstrating potential in modulating lipid metabolism, enhancing immune function, improving glucose metabolism, and protecting the skin barrier. However, challenges remain in the efficient extraction, structural elucidation, and mechanistic understanding of RFOs. This paper systematically reviewed the physicochemical properties, extraction and purification methods, analytical techniques, and research progress of RFOs in fields such as medicine, food, and cosmetics. Future research should focus on the development of green and efficient extraction technologies, in-depth exploration of action mechanisms, and expansion of cross-disciplinary applications to promote the high-value utilization and industrial development of RFOs.

Key words: raffinose family oligosaccharides, prebiotics, biological activity

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