The state-of-the-art preparation, purification and biological activities of mannan oligosaccharides

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOSs), a class of functionally edible oligosaccharides, show a range of advantages given its abundant, sustainable, bioactive, and biocompatible properties. They have been widely applied into the fields of pharmaceutical, food and feed industries. To fully understand the progress of the preparation and biological activities of MOSs in these fields in decades, we summarized and compared various techniques for the preparation of MOSs from yeast cell walls and different plants. As well, diverse techniques for the separation and purification of MOSs have been reviewed in details. More importantly, their biological activities, such as effectively improve the intestinal microbial environment, improve the body's immunity, reduce blood glucose and blood lipids, and improve animal growth performance, are clearly discussed in this review. The applications of MOSs in the field of functional foods are also summarized. This review endeavors to function as a primer for individuals with a scholarly interest in prebiotic research, offering a foundational perspective for delving into the intricate domain of bio-based molecular taxonomy.