In Vitro Digestibility of Galactooligosaccharides: Effect of the Structural Features on Their Intestinal Degradation

Small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles from pig were used to digest galactooligosaccharides from lactose (GOS) and from lactulose (OsLu). Dissimilar hydrolysis rates were detected after digestion. Predominant glycosidic linkages and monomeric composition affected the resistance to intestinal digestive enzymes. The β(1→3) GOS mixture was the most susceptible to hydrolysis (50.2%), followed by β(1→4) (34.9%), whereas β(1→6) linkages were...