Welcome to BENEO’s FAQ hub!
At BENEO, we’re committed to providing clear, concise answers to your most common questions. Whether you’re curious about our nutritional ingredients, product applications, or sustainability initiatives, you’ll find everything you need right here.
Explore our FAQ to discover how BENEO supports healthier choices through science-backed innovation. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, our team is ready to assist!
Human nutrition
Palatinose™
What is Palatinose™ (isomaltulose)?
Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) is a naturally sourced, low-glycaemic carbohydrate derived from sugar beet. It provides the same calories as regular sugar but releases energy more slowly, delivering a balanced energy supply without causing blood sugar spikes.
Which consumer groups can I target with Palatinose™ (isomaltulose)?
Palatinose™ suitable for a wide range of individuals, from everyday people pursuing a healthier lifestyle to athletes seeking steady energy, children needing focus and energy for school, the elderly, those managing pre-diabetes or diabetes and its side effects, and individuals focused on weight management.
What is the glycaemic index of Palatinose™ (isomaltulose)?
Palatinose™ has a low glycaemic index (GI) of 32, significantly lower than regular sugar (sucrose), which has a GI of 65. This means Palatinose™ causes a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to regular, high GI sugar.
What is Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) good for?
Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) is a versatile, health-supporting carbohydrate that provides 4 kcal/g as a complete glucose source. It gradually releases glucose, resulting in a low glycaemic response (GI: 32) and minimal insulin impact. It offers steady, long-lasting energy while promoting fat oxidation and is tooth-friendly, reducing the risk of dental caries. Palatinose™ supports stable blood sugar levels, greater fat utilization, and lower insulin demand, making it beneficial for glucose management, weight control, and combating obesity and diabetes.
For which applications is Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) suitable?
Palatinose™ is suitable for a wide variety of food and drinks. It can be used in cereals, cookies, dairy drinks,… It’s benefits make it a good ingredient to formulate sports nutrition such as sports drinks, powders and bars. It can also be used for baby food and maternal nutrition, meal replacers and clinical nutrition.
How is Palatinose™ (isomaltulose) made?
Palatinose™ is made from sugar beet through an enzymatic process that rearranges the glucose and fructose bonds, transforming sucrose into isomaltulose. This process maintains Palatinose™’s natural origin while giving it a unique structure that provides a low glycaemic response and slow energy release
Is Palatinose™(isomaltulose) a sugar?
Yes, Palatinose™ is a type of sugar derived from sucrose in sugar beet, and in most countries, it must be labeled as sugar. Unlike regular sugar, it has a unique structure that releases energy slowly and steadily, resulting in a low glycaemic response. This makes it a healthier alternative for those seeking stable energy levels.
Is isomaltulose an artificial sweetener?
Palatinose™ is not an artificial sweetener. It is a naturally derived carbohydrate obtained from sugar beet. Unlike artificial sweeteners, which provide little to no calories, Palatinose™ provides 4 kcal per gram, offering both energy and bulk properties.
What are the benefits of isomaltulose?
Isomaltulose offers unique nutritional benefits thanks to its structure and effects. Its slow digestion provides steady glucose release, boosting mood, memory, and focus. It promotes stable blood sugar, supports immunity, aids diabetes management, and encourages fat burning for improved endurance, weight loss, and a leaner physique. Additionally, it supports cardiovascular health by ensuring milder blood sugar spikes and is tooth-friendly, helping to prevent dental caries.
What does isomaltulose taste like?
Isomaltulose has a natural, mild sweet taste, about half as sweet as sucrose, but with a similar flavour profile. Its lower sweetness aligns with the trend of reducing sweetness in foods, allowing other flavors to stand out.
Isomalt
What is Isomalt used for?
Isomalt is widely used in sugar-free hard candies, medicated lozenges, chewing gum, tablets, baked goods, and chocolate, offering sugar reduction without compromising taste or texture. It is also popular among bakers for sugar art due to its stability, making it a versatile ingredient in sugar-free and reduced-sugar products.
Can Isomalt be considered a natural ingredient?
Isomalt is derived from sugar beet, a natural source, through a multi-step process. However, since hydrogenation is not a process that occurs in nature, Isomalt is often not classified as natural. Its classification should be assessed based on local regulatory definitions.
How healthy is Isomalt?
Isomalt can be considered a healthier alternative to regular sugar due to its low glycaemic index, which helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people with diabetes or those seeking to control their glucose. Additionally, isomalt contains fewer calories than sugar, which can support weight management. As a sugar substitute, it offers a way to enjoy sweetness without the same impact on blood sugar and overall caloric intake.
Is Isomalt a safe sweetener?
Yes, Isomalt is considered safe. It has been approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use in food products. Isomalt is a low-glycemic sugar substitute and does not significantly impact blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for people with diabetes or those looking to reduce sugar intake.
How does Isomalt behave in our gut?
Isomalt is a low-digestible carbohydrate with fibre-like physiology, similar to those naturally found in everyday foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, beans, lentils, and other legumes. Like other low-digestible carbohydrates, Isomalt is hardly digested in the small intestine.
Why do people use Isomalt?
Isomalt is most commonly used as a sugar substitute in sugar-free and reduced-calorie foods due to its mild sweetness and low glycaemic index. It is widely used in making sugar-free candies, chewing gum, baked goods. Isomalt is also popular in sugar crafting for creating decorative sugar sculptures and intricate designs, as it melts and hardens without crystallizing, making it ideal for artistic and functional sugar decorations.
to be continued…
Animal nutrition
Faba Beans
What are fabe beans used for?
Faba beans are sometimes also named fava beans. Aside from this, they have several alternative names, depending on the region and context. Some of the most common names include Broad Beans, Horse Beans, Field Beans and Tick Beans.
Are fabe beans …?
Faba beans are sometimes also named fava beans. Aside from this, they have several alternative names, depending on the region and context. Some of the most common names include Broad Beans, Horse Beans, Field Beans and Tick Beans.
Are fabe beans ?
Faba beans are sometimes also named fava beans. Aside from this, they have several alternative names, depending on the region and context. Some of the most common names include Broad Beans, Horse Beans, Field Beans and Tick Beans.
Pharma
What is galenIQ™ and what makes it unique?
galenIQ™ is the pharmaceutical grade of Isomalt, derived from sugar beets. It is designed for pharmaceutical applications and stands out due to its exceptional taste properties, low hygroscopicity, and excellent compressibility. This makes it ideal for a wide range of dosage forms, including tablets, chewable, lozenges, powders, and sachets.
What are the main applications of galenIQ™ in pharmaceuticals?
galenIQ™ is primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry for direct compression, granulation, and dry blending. Its applications include tablets, chewable tablets, lozenges, effervescent tablets, and powder blends. Its pleasant taste and mouthfeel also make it suitable for oral solid dosage forms and formulations where taste is a critical factor.
How does galenIQ™ enhance the taste of pharmaceutical products?
galenIQ™ has a sweet taste that can help to mask the bitterness of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), making medications more palatable. Its smooth texture and rapid dissolution in the oral cavity further contribute to a pleasant mouthfeel, enhancing the overall patient experience.
Is galenIQ™ suitable for patients with diabetes?
Yes, galenIQ™ has a very low glycemic index (GI = 2) and does not cause significant spikes in blood glucose levels. However, as with any excipient, the suitability for diabetic patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with healthcare professionals.
What are the benefits of using galenIQ™ in tablet formulations?
galenIQ™ offers several benefits in tablet formulations, including excellent flow properties, high compressibility, and low hygroscopicity, which enhance tablet hardness and stability. It also provides uniform distribution of APIs, ensuring consistent dosage delivery. Additionally, its compatibility with most APIs contributes to the stability of formulations over time.
How is galenIQ™ produced, and is it sustainable?
galenIQ™ is produced from isomalt, which is derived from sustainably sourced beet sugar. The production process is environmentally friendly, ensuring minimal waste and low energy consumption. This aligns with BENEO’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Where can I find technical support about incorporating galenIQ™ into my formulations?
You can contact our technical support team through the BENEO website of galenIQ@beneo.com for personalized assistance. We offer detailed product information, formulation guidance, and support to help you integrate galenIQ™ into your products effectively. Additionally, our website hosts a range of technical resources and documentation to assist in your development process.
Does galenIQ™ have both filler and binder functionality?
galenIQ™ acts as a bulking agent on the one hand, providing the necessary volume to tablets and other dosage forms. On the other hand, it also functions as a binder, helping to hold the ingredients of a tablet together. Its high compactability ensures that tablets are compressed with the right hardness and stability. These dual functionalities make galenIQ™ a versatile and valuable excipient in the pharmaceutical industry.
Does galenIQ™ meet industry quality and regulatory standards for pharmaceutical excipients?
galenIQ™ is produced under GMP conditions, in alignment with IPEC-PQG requirements for pharmaceutical excipients and complies with the latest monographs for Isomalt in Ph. Eur., BP, USP-NF, and JP. This ensures a quality product that meets the highest industry standards.