Distinction between Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) and Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and their INCI Names
Question
Could you clarify the relationship between `Xylooligosaccharide (XOS)` and `Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)`? I'm particularly confused because I've seen `XOS` listed with the INCI name 'Fructooligosaccharide'. Are these two compounds chemically identical, or are they distinct, and if so, why might their INCI names appear to overlap?
Answer
Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) and Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) are distinct types of prebiotics, although they both belong to the broader category of oligosaccharides.
- Fructooligosaccharide (FOS): These are short-chain fructose polymers. They are naturally found in various plants like onions, chicory, garlic, asparagus, and bananas. FOS is composed of fructose units linked together.
- Xylooligosaccharide (XOS): These are short-chain xylose polymers. XOS is typically derived from xylan, a hemicellulose found in plant cell walls, such as corn cobs, birch wood, and bamboo. XOS is composed of xylose units.
While both are beneficial prebiotics that support gut health, their chemical structures are different (one is based on fructose, the other on xylose).
Regarding the INCI name, it is important to note that the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) system primarily applies to cosmetic ingredients. While Fructooligosaccharide is a recognized INCI name for compounds derived from fructose, it is generally not the INCI name for Xylooligosaccharide. If you encountered a product listing XOS with Fructooligosaccharide as its INCI name, it might be an error in labeling or a misunderstanding of the specific chemical structure. XOS would typically have an INCI name that reflects its xylose-based structure, or it might be listed under a more general term if a specific INCI name for XOS is not yet widely adopted or if it's used in non-cosmetic applications where INCI names are not strictly required.