Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk) is a plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae and originating in India and Iran although now its cultivation has moved to different parts of the world.

Different species of Psyllium:

• Plantago ovata
• Plantago psyllium
• Plantago indicates

It is used as a fiber, food supplement for its characteristics of low fermentation compared to other fibers (thus causing less flatulence and swelling abdominal) and for its low cost.

Psyllium fiber comes from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant and is known for its excellent water-absorption properties and is often used as a fiber supplement and to enhance consistency in various food products.

Raw materials used in production. 

• The fundamental raw material is the seed of the Plantago ovata plant, a herbaceous plant mainly grown in parts of Asia, including India.

Step-by-step summary of industrial production process.

• Seed Harvesting. Seeds of Plantago ovata are harvested once the plant has matured.
• Husk Separation. The seed husks (psyllium husk) are separated from the rest of the seed through a milling process.
• Cleaning and Sieving. The husks are cleaned and sieved to remove any impurities and to achieve a uniform texture.
• Drying. The husks are dried to reduce water content and preserve the product.
• Grinding. The husks are then ground into a fine powder, which can be further sieved to achieve different granule sizes.

Form and color. 

Psyllium fiber appears as a fine powder that varies in color from beige to brown.

Commercial applications. 

Psyllium fiber is used in a variety of food products to enhance structure and increase fiber content, as well as being sold as a dietary supplement for digestive health.

Dietary Supplements. Psyllium is widely utilized in dietary supplements to promote digestive health due to its outstanding water-absorbing, gel-forming properties that facilitate passage through the intestinal tract.

Baked Goods. Used in baking to add fiber without altering flavor and texture, and can also act as an egg substitute in some recipes.

Gluten-Free Products. Psyllium fiber can be used to enhance the texture and structure of gluten-free products.

Functional Foods. Employed in functional foods to provide additional fiber intake and promote health benefits.

 It's used in various products aimed at enhancing digestion and intestinal regularity.

Studies

It is a highly soluble viscose fiber and its seeds are used by traditional medicine for the treatment of constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia (1).

There are several methods used as adjuvant therapy to alleviate the symptoms of constipation: probiotics, fibers, laxatives and changing eating habits. Psyllium demonstrated an ability to increase the frequency of bowel movement in a study lasting 6 months (2).

The scientific literature has identified viscous dietary fibres as a potential food for cholesterol reduction. This research confirmed the role of Psyllium in delaying the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with atherosclerosis in people with or without hypercholesterolemia (3).

Psyllium studies

References_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Marlett JA, Fischer MH. The active fraction of psyllium seed husk. Proc Nutr Soc. 2003 Feb;62(1):207-9. doi: 10.1079/pns2002201. PMID: 12749348.

Abstract. A series of experiments and evaluations of fractions isolated from psyllium seed husk (PSH) were used to test the overall hypothesis that a gel-forming component of PSH is not fermented and that it is this component that is responsible for the laxative and cholesterol-lowering properties of PSH. A gel is isolated from human stools collected during a controlled diet study when PSH is consumed but not when the control diet only is consumed. Evaluations of three fractions isolated from PSH suggest that gel-forming fraction B, which is about 55% of PSH, is poorly fermented and is the component that increases stool moisture and faecal bile acid excretion, the latter leading to lower blood cholesterol levels. Fraction C, representing < 15% of PSH, is viscous, but is rapidly fermented. Fraction A is alkali-insoluble material that is not fermented. In concentrations comparable with their presence in PSH, fractions A and C do not alter moisture and bile acid output. The active fraction of PSH is a highly-branched arabinoxylan consisting of a xylose backbone and arabinose- and xylose-containing side chains. In contrast to arabinoxylans in cereal grains that are extensively fermented, PSH possesses a structural feature, as yet unidentified, that hinders its fermentation by typical colonic microflora.

(2) Cheng J, Tennilä J, Stenman L, Ibarra A, Kumar M, Gupta KK, Sharma SS, Sen D, Garg S, Penurkar M, Kumar S, Ouwehand AC.  Influence of Lactitol and Psyllium on Bowel Function in Constipated Indian Volunteers: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.  Nutrients. 2019 May 21;11(5). pii: E1130. doi: 10.3390/nu11051130.

Abstract. Psyllium and lactitol have been reported to increase fecal volume, moisture content and bowel movement frequency (BMF). However, the benefits of their combined use on constipation has not been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week intervention with lactitol and/or psyllium on bowel function in constipated volunteers. Adults (N = 172) who were diagnosed with functional constipation per Rome III criteria were randomized to four treatment groups: 10 g lactitol, 3.5 g psyllium, a combination of 10 g lactitol and 3.5 g psyllium, or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in BMF from Day 0 to 28 as compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints were assessed by inventories, including stool consistency, patient assessment of constipation symptoms and quality of life, relief of constipation, 24-h food recall, physical activity, product satisfaction and adverse events (AE). BMF increased by 3.0 BMs with lactitol, by 2.9 with psyllium, and by 3.1 with the combination, but was not different from placebo (3.7 BMs). Other clinical endpoints were similar between treatments. No serious AEs were reported. In conclusion, this study showed a similar effect on relief of constipation in all treatment groups. The treatments that were administered to the volunteers were well tolerated.

(3) Jovanovski E, Yashpal S, Komishon A, Zurbau A, Blanco Mejia S, Ho HVT, Li D, Sievenpiper J, Duvnjak L, Vuksan V. Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.   Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 Nov 1;108(5):922-932. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy115.

Abstract. Background: Studies have identified viscous dietary fiber as potentially attenuating cholesterol, including psyllium, which reduces LDL cholesterol and thus may complement cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment. Objectives: The aims of this study were to update evidence on the effect of psyllium on LDL cholesterol and to provide an assessment of its impact on alternate markers: non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB)....Conclusion: Psyllium fiber effectively improves conventional and alternative lipids markers, potentially delaying the process of atherosclerosis-associated CVD risk in those with or without hypercholesterolemia. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03346733.