Inulin
- Alantstärke
- Alantin
- Dahlin
- Polyfructose
V04CH01
White crystalline solid
Fixed
178-181 ° C
Soluble in hot water, slightly soluble in organic solvents
Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search is not possible
Inulin is a mixture of polysaccharides from fructose having a chain length of up to 100 molecules, and a terminal glucose unit. It is one of the fructans.
Occurrence and discovery
Many plants store inulin as a reserve material, especially species of the daisy family: about Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, dahlia, Artichoke, Dandelion, salsify, but also Umbelliferae, such as parsnips ( see also crops ). It was discovered in 1804 Elecampane (Inula helenium L.).
Use
In the diet
Inulin is nowadays often an ingredient in food production, for example in yoghurt improve as a fat substitute and the flavor, texture and mouthfeel. Add sausages, it serves to increase the fiber content. Inulin is one of the prebiotic food additives. It also serves as a raw material for the production of fructose.
When roasting chicory roots for making coffee substitute inulin is partially converted to hydroxymethylfurfural, which ensures the coffee-like flavor.
In smaller quantities of inulin also plays a role in animal feed as an additive.
In Medicine
Low molecular weight inulin is soluble in warm water. It is used in research on the physiological determination of the extracellular space, since it easily penetrates into the interstitial spaces, but not in the cells. The measurement of the inulin clearance can be used for the exact determination of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys. This is possible because inulin in the glomerulus is completely filtered in the tubule system but neither secreted nor reabsorbed is.
May inulin in the treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus) serve as starch replacement, as it does not affect blood sugar levels. Inulin is not absorbed in the small intestine, since the man -degrading enzyme ( inulinase ) is missing. Instead, it will be rebuilt in the rectum of bacteria to short chain fatty acids. The gases thus formed can lead to flatulence in sensitive people - the only known side effect when consumed inulinhaltiger plant parts.