Abstract
Summary This article reviews the formation of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) via transgalactosylation by the action of β-galactosidase on lactose, indicating the importance of the oligosaccharides obtained as fibers, their prebiotic effects on the gastrointestinal tract and their bifidogenic effects on the metabolism of some bacterial species. The association of the positive effects of the consumption of these fibers on the human intestinal flora and their influence on the metabolism and growth of bifidobacteria, with the consequent inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, constitutes a new frontier for the development of functional dairy products. The beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract include modulation of the immune system by means of their anti-adherent properties, indicating reductions in the risk of colon cancer; digestion advantages, such as the regulation of intestinal movement; nutritional gains, such as the absorption of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium; and stimulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. GOS are more effective if associated with probiotic cultures, producing a synergic combination with some species of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Research on the impact of the effective consumption of GOS in humans is still scanty, and further studies are required to determine its continued effects.
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