What is circular nutrition and how does sugarcane fit into it?

Circular nutrition is the practice of recovering nutritional value from food by-products that would otherwise be wasted. Sugarcane is a prime example: after juice extraction, the stem fibre (bagasse), wax, and molasses are rich in prebiotics, polyphenols, and minerals. Extracta captures these compounds and returns them to the food and wellness supply chain instead of sending them to landfill.

Is sugarcane good for gut health?

Yes. The fibre in sugarcane stem acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, improving bowel regularity, and reducing gut inflammation. Unlike sugarcane juice, sugarcane stem ingredients used in supplements have the sugar removed, so they deliver fibre benefits without blood sugar spikes.

Which Australian companies use sugarcane for nutrition?

Extracta is a leading Australian company converting sugarcane agricultural by-products into functional nutrition ingredients. Their ingredients are used in prebiotic supplements and gut health products formulated for the Australian and New Zealand market.

Who is upcycling sugarcane waste in Australia?

Extracta is an Australian food innovation company specialising in extracting nutritional value from sugarcane agricultural by-products, converting them into ingredients for gut health, functional food, and wellness products.

What sugarcane by-products can be turned into food ingredients?

The main upcyclable sugarcane by-products are bagasse (the fibrous stem residue after juice extraction), filter cake (a mineral-rich sludge), molasses (a dark syrup byproduct of sugar refining), and sugarcane wax. Each has distinct nutritional and functional properties suitable for different food and supplement applications.

What is a circular food system?

A circular food system designs out waste by keeping nutrients and materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of a linear grow-process-consume-discard model, circular systems recover by-products at every step and reintroduce them as inputs, for example turning sugarcane processing waste into prebiotic nutrition ingredients.

Australian Sugarcane Fibre

Gentle, prebiotic fibre from 100% Australian sugarcane

HACCP-Accredited Facility · 100% Australian Grown · Full Batch Traceability · Circular Economy Ingredient

Premium prebiotic fibre sourced from Australian-grown sugarcane. Our sugarcane fibre is a clean-label, upcycled ingredient that delivers exceptional functional benefits and supports digestive health for food, beverage, nutraceutical, and pet health applications. Unlike psyllium and inulin, which can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas, our sugarcane fibre offers gentle, uniform fermentation that supports gut health without digestive discomfort — ideal for sensitive formulations and consumers seeking prebiotic benefits without the side effects.

Key Features

High-quality prebiotic fibre — rich in cellulose and hemicellulose, supporting gut microbiome health and SCFA production
Clean label & versatile — odourless and taste-free for versatile applications across food and beverage
Low FODMAP suitable — gentle, uniform fermentation suitable for sensitive digestive systems, without the bloating associated with psyllium or inulin
100% Australian provenance with full traceability
Science-backed functional benefits — clinically relevant functional properties with research support
Excellent functional properties — high moisture absorption, oil-binding capacity, and tensile strength as a filler

Applications

Bakery products (bread, muffins, cakes, crackers) — acts as a clean-label stabiliser, increasing viscosity and body
Beverages (smoothies, functional drinks, meal replacements) — adds prebiotic benefits without affecting taste
Dietary supplements (prebiotic powders, wellness blends)
Snacks & cereals (energy bars, granolas) — improves texture and nutritional profile
Meat & protein products — improves cooking yield, reduces moisture/fat loss, increases antioxidant capacity
Pet health products — supports digestive health in companion animals

Built for NPD Teams

No chasing documentation mid-formulation. Full technical documentation is available upfront, so your team can move from concept to trial with confidence.

Odourless, taste-free profile means no sensory reformulation required
Gentle fermentation profile reduces the risk of bloating complaints seen with psyllium or inulin blends
Consistent moisture absorption and oil-binding performance batch to batch
High tensile strength supports use as a functional filler in structured or extruded applications

Technical Specifications

Complete technical documentation available on request:

Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Nutritional profile
Functional properties data (moisture absorption, oil-binding capacity, tensile strength)
Regulatory compliance documentation

Health Benefits

Promotes a healthy gut microbiome and digestive health
Supports production of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
May assist in maintaining healthy blood glucose levels*
May support insulin sensitivity*
Aids natural gut cleansing processes
Gentle fermentation without the bloating or gas associated with psyllium and inulin

Sustainability

Our sugarcane fibre is produced from whole Australian sugarcane plants through an upcycling process that transforms processing surplus into a valuable, sustainable, clean-label ingredient — supporting circular economy principles and reducing food waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sugarcane fibre the same as sugar?

No. Sugarcane fibre is derived from the cellulose and hemicellulose in the plant's fibrous structure, not the sucrose content — it contains no significant sugar and behaves as a dietary fibre, not a sweetener.

Is sugarcane fibre allergen-friendly?

Contact our technical team for a full allergen statement specific to your application.

What's the recommended dosage or inclusion rate?

Inclusion rates vary by application and desired functional outcome. Our team can recommend a starting point based on your formulation.

Request Samples & Documentation

Ready to trial it in your formulation?

→ Request a sample
→ Download full technical documentation
→ Speak with our formulation support team

Wholesale Inquiries

For pricing, samples, technical specifications, or partnership opportunities, please contact our team.

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