Recent study demonstrates prebiotic properties of BeniCaros, a soluble fiber derived from carrot pomace

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NutriLeads (Wageningen, The Netherlands) has announced the results of a recently published study¹ which found that a carrot-derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) may beneficially modulate the human gut microbiota. cRG-I is a complex pectin-derived polysaccharide from carrot pomace, which NutriLeads markets as BeniCaros. Researchers used the SHIME in vitro dynamic model to compare the effect of the cRG-I on the fecal microbiota of four donors in parallel.

Results showed that despite interindividual variability between subjects, the administration of cRG-I consistently modified the human microbiota. Administration of cRG-I was associated with enhanced levels of acetate, propionate, and to a lesser extent, butyrate, which coincided with an increase in Operatinal Taxonomic Units (OTUs) related to Bacteroides dorei and Prevotella species.

“The results of the SHIME study are fundamental to our ongoing research into BeniCaros and the underlying mechanisms that drive its powerful immune health benefits,” said Dr. Ruud Albers, CSO of Nutrileads. “Our data shows that BeniCaros can help product manufacturers to deliver a more well-rounded immune health solution to consumers, and they will be able to feel the difference.”

BeniCaros is a soluble fiber made using a proprietary process of upcycling carrot pomace, which is a byproduct of carrot juice production. The ingredient is tasteless, odorless powder without artificial additives, making it label friendly. BeniCaros is suitable for most functional food, beverage, and supplement formats, and meets consumer demands for ingredients that support immune health. The ingredient recently won NutriLeads the Fi (Food Ingredients) Europe Innovation Award in the Health Innovation category.

Reference

1. Van den Abbeele P et al. “Consistent prebiotic effects of carrot RG-I on the gut microbiota of four human adult donors in the SHIME model despite baseline individual variability.” Microorganisms, vol. 9 (2021)