Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) suppliers and sourcing guide
Xylooligosaccharides are short chains of xylose units, mostly two to six long. They are made from xylan-rich plant material such as corncobs or sugarcane bagasse: the xylan is extracted, broken down with xylanase enzymes, then purified by filtration, ion exchange and decolorizing. XOS is sold as a powder or syrup graded by XOS percentage, commonly 35%, 70% or 95%.
- Category
- Fibers
- Also known as
- XOS · xylo-oligosaccharides · xylooligosaccharide
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of xylooligosaccharides (xos)
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
XOS 95 powder
High-purity powder with about 95% XOS; used in capsules and low-dose sachets.
XOS 70 or 35 powder
Lower purity grades with more xylose and other sugars; used in foods and blends.
Syrup
Liquid XOS for beverages and confectionery.
Corncob vs. sugarcane source
Corncob is the most common source; sugarcane bagasse grades are sold for corn-free labels.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- XOS content and profile
- Xylobiose, xylotriose and higher oligomers by HPLC or HPAEC-PAD, summed for total XOS on a dry basis.
- Free xylose and other sugars
- Monosaccharides by HPLC, which affect sweetness and sugars labeling.
- Moisture and ash
- Loss on drying and ash, confirming drying and purification.
- Color and pH
- Solution color and pH from the refining step.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
XOS powder takes up moisture, so keep it in sealed, moisture-barrier bags in a cool, dry place. It is stable to heat and acid in normal processing. Suppliers set a best-before date for unopened packaging.
Lots and expiry dates
Grades are named by XOS percentage, but the oligomer profile and free xylose still vary by supplier and lot, so record both. Record the raw material (corncob or sugarcane) for allergen-free and non-GMO paperwork.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 458, for xylooligosaccharides notified by Shandong Longlive Bio-technology as a bulking agent in beer and an ingredient in listed foods, closed on Aug 23, 2013 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 816, for xylooligosaccharides from sugarcane notified by Prenexus Health, closed on Apr 29, 2019 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's prebiotics natural health product monograph lists xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with corn (Zea mays) cob as a source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking xylooligosaccharides (xos) suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell xylooligosaccharides (xos)? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of xylooligosaccharides (xos) can brands buy?
Common forms include xOS 95 powder, xOS 70 or 35 powder, syrup and corncob vs. sugarcane source. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for xylooligosaccharides (xos) include?
Expect xOS content and profile, free xylose and other sugars, moisture and ash, color and pH, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should xylooligosaccharides (xos) be stored?
XOS powder takes up moisture, so keep it in sealed, moisture-barrier bags in a cool, dry place. It is stable to heat and acid in normal processing. Suppliers set a best-before date for unopened packaging.
What is the regulatory status of xylooligosaccharides (xos)?
GRN 458, for xylooligosaccharides notified by Shandong Longlive Bio-technology as a bulking agent in beer and an ingredient in listed foods, closed on Aug 23, 2013 with FDA having no questions. GRN 816, for xylooligosaccharides from sugarcane notified by Prenexus Health, closed on Apr 29, 2019 with FDA having no questions. Health Canada's prebiotics natural health product monograph lists xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with corn (Zea mays) cob as a source material.
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