The Leap of Inulin Fructans from Food Industry to Medical Application

Abstract

As a dietary supplement, the efficacy of prebiotics has become a hot issue in recent years. Inulin is one of internationally recognized prebiotics and belongs to a group of non‐digestible and fermentable carbohydrates. Currently, the food industry is increasingly using prebiotic inulin as a health‐promoting substrate, not just as food supplement. In addition, inulin has also shown great promise in the treatment of various diseases. This article reviews the application of inulin in the food industry and summarizes physiological function of inulin. Through the review and prospect of the research on obesity, diabetes and mental illness, it provides the theoretical basis for the joint development of inulin in food industry and medical application.

Inulin Can Improve Red Blood Cell Cryopreservation by Promoting Vitrification, Stabilizing Cell Membranes, and Inhibiting Ice Recrystallization

“…Inulin is a polysaccharide composed of 2–60 fructose chains connected by β-(2,1)-glycosidic linkages with terminal glucose (Figure ). Inulin exists in vegetables, plants, cereals, and fruits and is thought to be nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. , It is often considered a food ingredient approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. , In addition, inulin has been widely applied in other industries, for example, as a good stabilizer of proteins, dietary fiber, excipient material in pills, and fat replacement . In cryopreservation, inulin plays an important role in bacteria and food preservation.…”

“…24,25 It is often considered a food ingredient approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. 26,27 In addition, inulin has been widely applied in other industries, for example, as a good stabilizer of proteins, 28 dietary fiber, 29 excipient material in pills, 30 and fat replacement. 31 In cryopreservation, inulin plays an important role in bacteria and food preservation.…”

Metabolism of Inulin via Difructose Anhydride I Pathway in Microbacterium flavum

“…Similar to starch glucan, inulin-type fructan is also an energystoring substance that is extensively present in plants, such as asparagus, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, dahlia, garlic, onion, and leek. 1 Inulin is a biomacromolecule polysaccharide composed of fructose through β-(2 → 1) glycosidic bonds, usually with a terminal glucose. As a prebiotic dietary fiber, inulin offers certain nutritional and therapeutic benefits that improve health and reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related diseases.…”

“…Similar to starch glucan, inulin-type fructan is also an energy-storing substance that is extensively present in plants, such as asparagus, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, dahlia, garlic, onion, and leek . Inulin is a biomacromolecule polysaccharide composed of fructose through β-(2 → 1) glycosidic bonds, usually with a terminal glucose.…”

“…Inulin is a biomacromolecule polysaccharide composed of fructose through β-(2 → 1) glycosidic bonds, usually with a terminal glucose. As a prebiotic dietary fiber, inulin offers certain nutritional and therapeutic benefits that improve health and reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related diseases. − It has, therefore, been comprehensively used in the food and medical industry. , The mechanism of metabolizing inulin and providing energy for microbial life is scientific knowledge and is also related to its prebiotic effects and beneficial effects on human health. Several enzymes are known to decompose inulin.…”