Konjac Glucomannan
こんにゃくグルコマンナン (こんにゃくグルコマンナン)
Why now · 2022 — ongoing
Konjac, Shirataki, and Glucomannan: Japan's Low-Calorie Functional Carb
Konjac and shirataki noodles have mainstream traction in low-carb / keto / weight-management retail. Gunma dominates Japanese supply; standardised glucomannan extract is the supplement angle.
Read the trend reportWhy source from Japan
Gunma's konjac monopoly; glucomannan extraction methodology developed in Japan; FFC notifications support metabolic / weight-management positioning.
Key spec
Glucomannan 80-95% in standardised powder; viscosity in water elevated; soluble dietary fibre 100% of dry weight; calorie negligible.
Typical end-product
Shirataki / konnyaku noodle export, weight-management supplements, plant-based meat binder.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 1–10 kg powder; 100 g – 1 kg specialty
- Typical lead time
- 8–12 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Gunma (>90%), Tochigi
- Category
- functional-food-ingredients
- Harvest season
- Corm harvest October – November; processing year-round
- Japan regulatory status
- FFC notifications exist; food product status; cosmetic JSCI for skin-care
- Japanese name
- こんにゃくグルコマンナン
- Romaji
- こんにゃくグルコマンナン
About this ingredient
Standardised glucomannan polysaccharide extracted from konjac corm — distinct from the 'konnyaku-ceramide' (cosmetic ceramide) entry. Glucomannan is a soluble dietary fibre with FDA-recognised structure-function claims for blood-glucose moderation and weight-management positioning. Gunma's >90% konjac monopoly (existing in konnyaku-ceramide entry) underlies the supply chain. Used in shirataki / konnyaku noodle (Japanese low-calorie alternative), as a dietary supplement, and increasingly in plant-based meat-alternative as a binder. Distinct from existing entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | FFC notifications exist; food product status; cosmetic JSCI for skin-care |
|---|---|
| EU | Food additive E425; CosIng listed |
| United States | GRAS for food / supplement; FDA-approved structure-function claims |
| China | GACC food facility registration |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Konjac Glucomannan is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Nattokinase
ナットウキナーゼ
Serine protease from Bacillus subtilis var. natto source; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg (concentrated powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Soy Isoflavones & Equol
大豆イソフラボン・エクオール
Glycine max (soybean); Lactococcus 20-92 (for Equol fermentation) source; FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 1 kg (concentrate) – 100 kg (lower-concentration grades).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Konjac Glucomannan faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
γ-アミノ酪酸
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Yamanashi Kyoho Grape
山梨巨峰
Brix 18-20; berry weight ~14g; anthocyanin 40-80 mg/100g (skin); thick skin reduces shelf-life to 1-2 weeks.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Renkon (Lotus Root)
蓮根
Dietary fibre 2-3%; tannin 0.1-0.3% (skin-soothing positioning); vitamin C 30-50 mg/100g.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd.
オリザ油化株式会社
Ichinomiya, AichiEst. 1954English supportExport experienceGlucomannan standardised supplement-grade
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Last updated: 2026-05-05