Summary
Hydrolysis may sound like a lab term, but it’s one of the cleanest design tools in modern formulation. This white paper explains how controlled enzymatic hydrolysis transforms traditional guar gum into FibRefine™ HG, a low-viscosity, water-soluble fiber that delivers prebiotic benefits without the thickness, slime, or off-notes that often limit fiber use in beverages and foods. You’ll learn how shortening guar’s molecular chains improves solubility, stability across pH and temperature, and digestive tolerance, making it easier to build fiber into clear drinks, protein systems, sauces, and better-for-you products. The paper also explores how hydrolysis supports clean label goals, regulatory acceptance, and real-world processing performance. For formulators looking to add functional fiber without fighting their system, this guide shows how smart chemistry leads to better, more scalable results.
Thom King, CFS, Food Scientist
Chief Innovations Officer, Icon Foods
Let’s take a moment to geek out on a bit of food science alchemy that deserves way more attention than it gets—hydrolysis. This deceptively simple process is the unsung hero behind many of the clean label fibers we use in better-for-you food and beverage formulations. One such fiber —FibRefine™ HG, our partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG)—owes its versatility and functionality to this very process.
If you’ve ever worked with traditional guar gum and found it too thick, too slimy, or just plain unruly, hydrolysis is the reason its refined cousin behaves like a dream. Let’s unpack what hydrolysis is, how it works in the case of FibRefine™ HG, and why it’s one of the cleanest tools in the food tech toolbox.
So, What Is Hydrolysis?
Hydrolysis—literally “water splitting” from the Greek roots hydro (water) and lysis (to break apart), is a chemical reaction where water molecules are used to cleave bonds between larger molecules. In food science, it’s often used to:
- Break down complex starches into smaller sugar units (like converting corn starch into glucose)
- Split oligosaccharides or polysaccharides into shorter-chain versions
- Modify the molecular weight of fibers or gums for solubility, digestibility, or function
In simple terms: hydrolysis takes a bulky, often unwieldy polymer and trims it down into something leaner, meaner, and far more versatile—without chemically altering its core identity.
Hydrolysis + Guar Gum = FibRefine™ HG
Guar gum in its native state is a high molecular weight polysaccharide—great for thickening, but not exactly a team player in low-viscosity applications. That’s where hydrolysis steps in.
To create FibRefine™ HG, we apply controlled enzymatic hydrolysis to natural guar gum. This gently snips the long polysaccharide chains into shorter fragments. The result?
- A low-viscosity, water-soluble fiber
- Stability across pH and temperature extremes
- A neutral taste with no grit, no slime, and no off-notes
It’s guar gum, but evolved—the Bruce Banner to the Hulk of traditional guar.
Why Hydrolyzed Fiber Wins in Better-for-You Formulations
Let’s talk function. Here’s why hydrolyzed guar gum (aka FibRefine™ HG) is a fiber formulator’s dream ingredient:
Water Solubility Without Bulk
FibRefine™ HG dissolves effortlessly into hot or cold water. You can load it into clear beverages, protein shakes, or low-viscosity sauces without cloudy residue or weird textures.
Low Viscosity
Thanks to hydrolysis, FibRefine™ HG won’t gel up your systems. You get the fiber content without having to fight your own formulas.
Prebiotic Power
Those shortened chains aren’t just easier to mix—they’re also easier for your gut microbes to ferment. The result? A slow, sustained release of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, propionate, and acetate. All-stars for gut health and metabolic regulation.
Excellent Digestive Tolerance
Unlike some fermentable fibers that can cause GI upset in higher doses, FibRefine™ HG is well tolerated up to 15g/day—making it a go-to for functional bars, beverages, and keto-friendly baked goods.
Label Friendly
“Guar fiber” or “partially hydrolyzed guar gum” passes muster with clean label consumers and regulatory scrutiny alike. It’s already accepted as a dietary fiber per 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(6)(i) based on demonstrated physiological benefit.
Hydrolysis as a Design Tool for Next-Gen Functional Ingredients
This isn’t just chemistry—it’s strategy. Hydrolysis lets us take ingredients like guar gum, which have great nutritional potential but poor processing characteristics, and optimize them for modern formulation needs.
Want to boost fiber without thickening? Hydrolyze it.
Need a fermentable prebiotic that plays nice in beverages? Hydrolyze it.
Formulating for keto, diabetic, or digestive wellness markets? Hydrolyze it.
When applied precisely, hydrolysis is one of the cleanest, most natural ways to create ingredient functionality without synthetic additives or chemical modification.
The Icon Foods Advantage: Why We Do Hydrolysis Right
At Icon Foods, we source only the highest-quality guar and apply precision-controlled hydrolysis to deliver a consistent, stable, and functional fiber in FibRefine™ HG. But we don’t stop there:
- Concierge-Level Formulation Support
Our team partners with you to fine-tune applications, troubleshoot challenges, and stack fibers synergistically. - Clean Label Compliant
We make sure every ingredient not only performs but passes the regulatory and consumer scrutiny test. - Multi-Sourced Supply Chain
Never worry about fiber shortages again—we’ve got your back with redundant, global sourcing. - White-Glove Logistics
Your drums, totes, or kegs will show up on time, every time—backed by our documentation support team.
Hydrolyze to Optimize
Hydrolysis might sound like a dusty term from your biochem textbook — but in the hands of a savvy formulator, it’s a gamechanger. With FibRefine™ HG, you get all the benefits of dietary fiber — gut health, satiety, clean label appeal, without compromising on solubility, texture, or system compatibility.
This is fiber that plays nice, pulls weight, and improves your formulation.
Ready to work with it? Let’s build something better—one hydrolyzed chain at a time.
Reach out to Icon Foods and request a sample of FibRefine™ HG today. Your gut, and your customers, will thank you.
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