title: Molecular properties and prebiotic effect of inulin obtained from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación de Enzimología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Dorotea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: López-Molina
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Navarro-Martínez
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rojas Melgarejo
authors.forename: Alexander N P
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hiner
authors.forename: Soledad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chazarra
authors.forename: José Neptuno
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-López
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011108:Polymers; D007444:Inulin