Arabinoxylans for modulating the barrier function of the intestinal surface

An arabinoxylan (AX) preparation containing the water-extractable AX fraction produced from wheat comprising:

• isolated water-soluble arabinoxylans with
• an average degree of polymerization of at least 60;
• an average molecular weight fraction of about 8 kDa to about 30 kDa;
• a degree of substitution of about 0.7;
• a protein content of up to about 22 wt. %;
• and
• a total sugar concentration of at least 55 wt. % comprising arabinoxylan.

A method of using arabinoxylan preparation to modulate the barrier function of the human intestinal surface, the hormonal functioning of the intestinal surface, the functioning of the local and/or systemic immune system, metabolic homeostasis, or a combination thereof comprising feeding a human a preparation containing a water-extractable arabinoxylan (AX) fraction produced from wheat comprising:

• isolated water-soluble arabinoxylans with an average degree of polymerization of at least 60;
• an average molecular weight fraction of about 8 kDa to about 30 kDa;
• a degree of substitution of about 0.7;
• a protein content of up to about 22 wt. %;
• and a total sugar concentration of at least 55 wt. % comprising arabinoxylan.

A method for the prevention or treatment of conditions associated with an impaired barrier function, for the prevention or treatment of conditions associated with oxidative stress and/or cardiovascular disease, for weight management, for immune support, or a combination thereof comprising, feeding a human a preparation containing a water-extractable arabinoxylan (AX) fraction produced from wheat comprising:

• isolated water-soluble arabinoxylans with an average degree of polymerization of at least 60;
• an average molecular weight fraction of about 8 kDa to about 30 kDa;
• a degree of substitution of about 0.7;
• a protein content of up to about 22 wt. %;
• and a total sugar concentration of at least 55 wt. % comprising arabinoxylan.

A method of enhancing the survival of probiotics in the intestine and/or the attachment of probiotics to the intestinal surface of a human comprising feeding a human a preparation containing a probiotic and a water-extractable arabinoxylan (AX) fraction produced from wheat comprising:

• isolated water-soluble arabinoxylans with an average degree of polymerization of at least 60;
• an average molecular weight fraction of about 8 kDa to about 30 kDa;
• a degree of substitution of about 0.7;
• a protein content of up to about 22 wt. %;
• and a total sugar concentration of at least 55 wt. % comprising arabinoxylan.

A method of producing an arabinoxylan preparation comprising:

• separating wheat into a starch fraction, a gluten fraction, and an arabinoxylan-containing fraction;
• centrifuging said arabinoxylan-containing fraction to remove lower quality starches;
• and
• recovering the remaining arabinoxylan-containing fraction by a cake filtration treatment.