Cello-oligosaccharides are resistant to digestion, as they are not hydrolyzed by salivary amylase. As a result, they reach the colon where they act as prebiotics. It has been reported that Cello-oligosaccharides promote intestinal regulation by stimulating the metabolism of colonic epithelial cells.¹⁾ In Bifidobacterium breve, strains have been identified that can utilize not only cellobiose, but also cellotriose, cellotetraose, and cellopentaose.²⁾

Cellulosic bioethanol is attracting increasing attention as a renewable next-generation (second-generation) liquid biofuel produced from non-food biomass that does not compete with food resources, contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. Cello-oligosaccharides, which are degradation products of cellulose, have gained interest as saccharification feedstocks with higher production efficiency than cellulose itself. Structurally well-defined cello-oligosaccharides, including cellopentaose, are recommended for saccharification analysis and evaluation in the development of high-performance enzymes and microorganisms aimed at achieving highly efficient saccharification technologies through glycosidase-mediated hydrolysis and fermentation.^3,4,5)

As a newly identified function of cello-oligosaccharides, their biostimulant activity in plants has been reported. When cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, is degraded due to microbial infection or other damage, the resulting cello-oligosaccharides—such as cellobiose and cellotriose—have been shown to act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), thereby activating plant immune responses.⁶⁾
By artificially inducing this function through the application of cello-oligosaccharides, crops such as vegetables and fruits can acquire enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses (e.g., high and low temperatures, excessive humidity or drought, and strong winds) as well as increased resistance to pathogens and pests, without relying on large amounts of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. These effects contribute to growth promotion, leading to improved yield stability and product quality. Accordingly, cello-oligosaccharides have recently attracted considerable attention for applications in agriculture and food production. Structurally defined cello-oligosaccharides with varying degrees of polymerization are available from us for your research and development needs.