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Scientific Article details

Title Asparagus Fructans as Emerging Prebiotics
ID_Doc 10103
Authors Hamdi, A; Viera-Alcaide, I; Guillén-Bejarano, R; Rodríguez-Arcos, R; Muñoz, MJ; Moreno, JMM; Jiménez-Araujo, A
Title Asparagus Fructans as Emerging Prebiotics
Year 2023
Published Foods, 12.0, 1
DOI 10.3390/foods12010081
Abstract Commercial fructans (inulin and oligofructose) are generally obtained from crops such as chicory, Jerusalem artichoke or agave. However, there are agricultural by-products, namely asparagus roots, which could be considered potential sources of fructans. In this work, the fructans extracted from asparagus roots and three commercial ones from chicory and agave were studied in order to compare their composition, physicochemical characteristics, and potential health effects. Asparagus fructans had similar chemical composition to the others, especially in moisture, simple sugars and total fructan contents. However, its contents of ash, protein and phenolic compounds were higher. FTIR analysis confirmed these differences in composition. Orafti((R))GR showed the highest degree of polymerization (DP) of up to 40, with asparagus fructans (up to 25) falling between Orafti((R))GR and the others (DP 10-11). Although asparagus fructan powder had a lower fructan content and lower DP than Orafti((R))GR, its viscosity was higher, probably due to the presence of proteins. The existence of phenolic compounds lent antioxidant activity to asparagus fructans. The prebiotic activity in vitro of the four samples was similar and, in preliminary assays, asparagus fructan extract presented health effects related to infertility and diabetes diseases. All these characteristics confer a great potential for asparagus fructans to be included in the prebiotics market.
Author Keywords asparagus by-product; fructan extract; commercial fructans; degree of polymerization; physicochemical characteristics; antioxidant activity; FTIR analysis; prebiotic properties; C. elegans models; circular economy
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000908901400001
WoS Category Food Science & Technology
Research Area Food Science & Technology
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/1/81/pdf?version=1671798036
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