Molecular properties and prebiotic effect of inulin obtained from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.).
A high molecular weight inulin has been prepared from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) agroindustrial wastes using environmentally benign aqueous extraction procedures. Physico-chemical analysis of the properties of artichoke inulin was carried out. Its average degree of polymerization was 46, which is higher than for Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, and dahlia inulins. GC-MS confirmed that the main constituent monosaccharide in artichoke inulin was fructose and its degradation by inulinase indicated that it contained the expected beta-2,1-fructan bonds. The FT-IR spectrum was identical to that of chicory inulin. These data indicate that artichoke inulin will be suitable for use in a wide range of food applications. The health-promoting prebiotic effects of artichoke inulin were demonstrated in an extensive microbiological study showing a long lasting bifidogenic effect on Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC 29521 cultures and also in mixed cultures of colonic bacteria.
López-Molina
Dorotea
D
Grupo de Investigación de Enzimología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
Navarro-Martínez
María Dolores
MD
Rojas Melgarejo
Francisco
F
Hiner
Alexander N P
AN
Chazarra
Soledad
S
Rodríguez-López
José Neptuno
JN
D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007444:Inulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
D010936:Plant Extracts; D011108:Polymers; D007444:Inulin