Abstract: Provided are methods for cleaving polysaccharides, comprising reacting polysaccharides with a Fenton's reagent, and cleaving the treated polysaccharides with a nitrogen-based cleavage reagent, which preferably is also a peroxide-quenching agent. Synthetic oligosaccharide compositions produced by such polysaccharide cleaving methods are further disclosed. Such oligosaccharide compositions are shown to provide utility in various aspects including modulating microbial growth and/or microbial or host metabolism.

Abstract: Method of managing a disorder associated with disrupted circadian rhythm in a subject by administering to a subject an effective amount of a beta glucan oligosaccharide and/or an arabinan oligosaccharide. More specifically, management includes treating symptoms associated with disrupted circadian rhythm, primary prevention of symptoms associated with disrupted circadian rhythm, secondary prevention of symptoms associated with disrupted circadian rhythm and/or delaying the progression of symptoms associated with disrupted circadian rhythm. Symptoms to be managed include among others sleep-related symptoms, mood-related symptoms, and symptoms associated with cognitive functioning and neurocognitive decline. In a particular method herein, the subject is assessed for risk of developing symptoms associated with disrupted circadian rhythm prior to administering the beta glucan oligosaccharide and/or arabinan oligosaccharide.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating glucose-related metabolic disorders in a subject. In some aspects, the methods comprise enterally administering an effective amount of a beta-glucan oligosaccharide prior to and/or during the subject consuming a glucose source.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating urogenital health conditions of a female subject. In some aspects, the methods comprise administering a composition comprising one or more oligosaccharides that are derived from one or more materials comprising at least one of galactomannan, ?-glucan, homo-xylan, glucuronoxylan, glucuronoarabinoxylan, arabinoxylan, arabinan, arabinogalactan, xyloglucan, microbial curdlan, glucomannan, pectic galactan, a moringa plant or part thereof, a Cucurbita species plant or part thereof, spent distillers' grains, gellan gum, xanthan gum, legumes, soy, pea, sugar cane, or any combination thereof. In some aspects the methods comprise administering one or more oligosaccharides each of which independently contains 3 to 30 subunits and wherein at least 5% of the subunits comprise a beta-1,3 glucose residue, a beta-1,4 glucose residue, or a combination thereof.