Inulin is another form of energy storage in plants besides starch, making it an ideal functional food ingredient and a good raw material for producing products such as oligofructose, polyfructose, high fructose syrup, and crystalline fructose
Inulin Specification:
item standard result
Inulin >86.0 93.73
Fructose+Glucose+Sucrose <14.0 6.27
Loss on drying (g/100g) ≦4.5 2.00
pH 5.0-7.0 5.24
Residue on ignition(g/100g) ≦0.2 0.1
Microbiological Control
Total Plate count n=5, c=2, m=104 <10,<10,<10,
M=5×104 <10,<10
E.coli n=5, c=2, m=10, <10,<10,<10,
M=102 <10,<10
Moulds ≦50 <10
Function and efficacy
1. Control blood lipids
Consuming inulin can effectively reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increase the high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein ratio, and improve blood lipid status. Hidaka et al. reported that elderly patients aged 50-90 who consume 8g of short chain dietary fiber daily experience a decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in their blood after two weeks. Yamashita et al. fed 18 diabetic patients 8g inulin for two weeks, and the total cholesterol decreased by 7.9%, but HDL cholesterol remained unchanged. The control group fed with food did not show any changes in the above parameters. Brighenti et al. observed that 12 healthy young men who added 9g of inulin to their daily cereal breakfast for 4 weeks reduced total cholesterol by 8.2% and triglycerides by a significant 26.5%.
Many dietary fibers absorb intestinal fat, forming fat fiber complexes that are excreted with feces, thereby reducing blood lipid levels. Moreover, inulin ferments into short chain fatty acids and lactate before reaching the end of the intestine, and lactate is a regulator of liver metabolism. Short chain fatty acids (acetate and propionate) can be used as fuel in the blood, and propionate inhibits cholesterol synthesis.
2. Reduce blood sugar
Inulin is a carbohydrate that does not cause an increase in glucose in urine. It is not hydrolyzed into monosaccharides in the upper part of the intestine, so it does not increase blood sugar levels and insulin levels. Nowadays, research shows that the decrease in fasting blood glucose is the result of short chain fatty acids produced by oligofructose fermentation in the colon.
3. Promote the absorption of minerals
Inulin can greatly enhance the absorption of minerals such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, etc. According to reports, teenagers who consume 8 g/d (long and short chain inulin type fructooligosaccharides) for 8 weeks and 1 year, respectively, found that both significantly increased Ca2+absorption, and the body’s bone mineral content and density also increased significantly. [4]
The main mechanism by which inulin promotes the absorption of mineral elements is that: 1. The short chain fat produced by inulin fermentation in the colon makes the crypts on its mucosa shallower, increases the number of crypt cells, and thus increases the absorption area, resulting in more developed cecal veins. The acid produced by fermentation reduces the pH of the colon, increasing the solubility and bioavailability of many minerals, especially short chain fatty acids, which can stimulate the growth of colon mucosal cells and improve the absorption capacity of the intestinal mucosa; Inulin can promote the secretion of phytase by some microorganisms, which can release metal ions chelated with phytic acid and promote their absorption. Some organic acids generated by fermentation can chelate with metal ions, promoting their absorption.
4. Regulate gut microbiota, improve intestinal health, and prevent constipation
Inulin is a natural water-soluble dietary fiber that can hardly be hydrolyzed and digested by stomach acid. It is only utilized by beneficial microorganisms in the colon to improve the intestinal environment. Studies have shown that the degree of proliferation of bifidobacteria depends on the initial number of bifidobacteria in the human colon. When the initial number of bifidobacteria decreases, the proliferation effect is significant after using inulin. When the initial number of bifidobacteria is high, the effect of using inulin is not significant. Secondly, consuming inulin can enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, improve gastrointestinal function, increase digestion and appetite, and enhance the body’s immunity. [5]
5. Inhibit the production of toxic fermentation products, protect the liver, and prevent colon cancer
After digestion and absorption, food reaches the colon and can produce many toxic metabolites (such as ammonia, nitrosamines, phenol and cresol, secondary bile acids, etc.) under the action of intestinal saprophytic bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, Bacteroidetes, etc.). The short chain fatty acids produced by the fermentation of inulin in the colon can lower the pH of the colon, inhibit the growth of saprophytic bacteria, reduce the production of toxic products, and reduce their stimulation on the intestinal wall. Due to the series of metabolic activities of inulin, it can inhibit the production of toxic substances, increase the frequency and weight of bowel movements, increase fecal acidity, accelerate the excretion of carcinogens, and produce short chain fatty acids with anti-cancer effects, which is beneficial for preventing colon cancer. [6-7]
6. Preventing constipation and treating obesity. Dietary fiber reduces the retention time of food in the gastrointestinal tract and increases the amount of feces, effectively treating constipation. Its weight loss function is to increase the viscosity of the contents, reduce the speed of food entering the small intestine from the stomach, thereby reducing hunger and decreasing food intake.
7. Inulin contains a small amount of 2-9 oligofructose. Studies have shown that oligofructose can increase the expression of neurotrophic factors in brain nerve cells and has a good protective effect against cortical ketone induced neuronal damage, as well as good antidepressant effects. [8]
Healthcare
