title: Isolation and prebiotic activity of inulin-type fructan extracted from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen roots.
abstract: Pfaffia glomerata (Amaranthaceae) is popularly known as "Brazilian ginseng." Previous studies have shown that fructose is the major carbohydrate component present in its roots. Inulin-type fructans, polymers of fructose, are the most widespread and researched prebiotics. Here, we isolated and chemically characterized inulin extracted from P. glomerata roots and investigated its potential prebiotic effect. Fructans were isolated and their structures were determined using colorimetric, chromatography, polarimetry, and spectroscopic analysis. The degree of polymerization (DP) was determined, and an in vitro prebiotic test was performed. The structure of inulin was confirmed by chromatography and spectroscopic analysis and through comparison with existing data. Representatives from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium utilized inulin from P. glomerata, because growth was significantly stimulated, while this ability is strain specific. The results indicated that inulin extracted from P. glomerata roots represents a promising new source of inulin-type prebiotics.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, CEP 87.020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edilainy Rizzieri
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Caleffi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Technology, Dairy Research Institute, Ltd., Ke Dvoru 12a, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krausová
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Technology, Dairy Research Institute, Ltd., Ke Dvoru 12a, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hyršlová
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, CP 19046, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larry Ladislao Ramos
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Paredes
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, CP 19046, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Müller
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, CP 19046, CEP 81.531-980 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Lanzi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Sassaki
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, CEP 87.020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Regina Aparecida Correia
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Post-Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, CEP 87.020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: ajboliveira@uem.br.
authors.forename: Arildo José Braz
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D027703:Amaranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D007444:Inulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D056692:Prebiotics
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D056692:Prebiotics; D007444:Inulin
keywords: Amaranthaceae; Inulin; Pfaffia glomerata; Prebiotic