Agarose oligosaccharides are short chains of sugar molecules (oligosaccharides) that are derived from agarose, a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agarose oligosaccharides are produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of agarose, which breaks down the long chains of agarose into shorter oligosaccharides.

Agarose oligosaccharides have various applications in biotechnology and biomedical research. They can be used as prebiotics to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, as they are resistant to digestion and can reach the colon intact. They also have potential as therapeutic agents for various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes, due to their anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties.