Soybean isolate protein complexes with different concentrations of inulin by ultrasound treatment: Structural and functional properties.

The effects of ultrasound and different inulin (INU) concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/mL) on the structural and functional properties of soybean isolate protein (SPI)-INU complexes were hereby investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that SPI was bound to INU via hydrogen bonding. All samples showed a decreasing and then increasing trend of α-helix content with increasing INU concentration. SPI-INU complexes by ultrasound with an INU concentration of 20 mg/mL (U-2) had the lowest content of α-helix, the highest content of random coils and the greatest flexibility, indicating the proteins were most tightly bound to INU in U-2. Both UV spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that it was hydrophobic interactions between INU and SPI. The addition of INU prevented the exposure of tryptophan and tyrosine residues to form a more compact tertiary structure compared to SPI alone, and ultrasound caused further unfolding of the structure of SPI. This indicated that the combined effect of ultrasound and INU concentration significantly altered the tertiary structure of SPI. SDS-PAGE and Native-PAGE displayed the formation of complexes through non-covalent interactions between SPI and INU. The ζ-potential and particle size of U-2 were minimized to as low as -34.94 mV and 110 nm, respectively. Additionally, the flexibility, free sulfhydryl groups, solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties of the samples were improved, with the best results for U-2, respectively 0.25, 3.51 µmoL/g, 55.51 %, 269.91 %, 25.90 %, 137.66 % and 136.33 %. Overall, this work provides a theoretical basis for improving the functional properties of plant proteins.

Study of the structural characterization, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of phosphorylated long-chain inulin with different degrees of substitution.

In this study, phosphorylated derivatives of long-chain inulin with different substitution degrees were prepared. The synthesized samples were named PFXL-1, PFXL-2, PFXL-3, and PFXL-4 according to their degree of substitution (from low to high). The structures of FXL and PFXL were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the results indicated the successful introduction of phosphate groups. FXL and PFXL were composed of two types of sugar, fructose and glucose, with a molar ratio of 0.977:0.023. The SEM results showed that phosphorylation changed the morphology of FXL from an irregular mass to small spherical aggregates. The XRD pattern showed that the crystallinity was reduced by the introduction of phosphate groups. The Mw of FXL was 2649 g/mol, and the Mw of PFXL-4 increased the most (2965 g/mol). Additionally, PFXL was more stable and uniform, and the absolute value of the PFXL potential reached 7.83 mV. Phosphorylation decreased the weight loss rate of FXL and improved the viscoelastic properties and antioxidant activity of FXL. This study presents a method for the modification of FXL, demonstrating that phosphorylation can enhance its physicochemical properties and physiological activity and suggesting its potential as a functional food and quality modifier.

Differences in physicochemical, rheological, and prebiotic properties of inulin isolated from five botanical sources and their potential applications.

This study compares the physicochemical and prebiotic properties of inulin isolated from five botanical sources. The average degree of polymerization (DP) for inulin ranged from 5.00 to 13.33. Notably, inulin from Dahlia tubers (DP = 13) and Platycodonis Radix (DP = 8) demonstrated granular, clustered morphology under SEM, semi-crystalline structures via X-ray diffraction, and exhibited shear-thinning behaviors from shear rate 1 s-1 to 500 s-1. In contrast, inulin from Jerusalem artichoke (DP = 5), chicory root (DP = 7), and Asparagi Radix (DP = 5) showcased rough flake morphologies under SEM, amorphous structures in X-ray patterns, and similar shear-thinning behaviors. All inulin types showed acid stability at pH levels below 2.0, with a reducing sugar conversion ratio (RRS) under 1 %. Furthermore, the isolated inulin from the different sources presented prebiotic capacity when added as a sole carbon source in the culture media of the probiotics Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum. This study provides the properties of inulin from various sources, thereby offering a reference for the selection of appropriate inulin in industrial applications based on the desired characteristics of the final product.

Inulin-based formulations as an emerging therapeutic strategy for cancer: A comprehensive review.

Cancer stands as the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). Most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit severe adverse effects that are attributed to exposure of drugs to off-target tissues, posing a significant challenge in cancer therapy management. In recent years, inulin, a naturally occurring prebiotic fiber has gained substantial attention for its potential in cancer treatment owing to its multitudinous health values. Its distinctive structure, stability, and nutritional properties position it as an effective adjuvant and carrier for drug delivery in cancer therapy. To address some of the above unmet clinical issues, this review summarizes the recent efforts towards the development of inulin-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites for healthcare applications with special emphasis on the multifunctional role of inulin in cancer therapy as a synergist, signaling molecule, immunomodulatory and anticarcinogenic molecule. Furthermore, the review provides a concise overview of ongoing clinical trials and observational studies associated with inulin-based therapy. In conclusion, the current review offers insights on the significant role of inulin interventions in exploring its potential as a therapeutic agent to treat cancer.

Inulin: Unveiling its potential as a multifaceted biopolymer in prebiotics, drug delivery, and therapeutics.

In recent years, inulin has gained much attention as a promising multifunctional natural biopolymer with numerous applications in drug delivery, prebiotics, and therapeutics. It reveals a multifaceted biopolymer with transformative implications by elucidating the intricate interplay between inulin and the host, microbiome, and therapeutic agents. Their flexible structure, exceptional targetability, biocompatibility, inherent ability to control release behavior, tunable degradation kinetics, and protective ability make them outstanding carriers in healthcare and biomedicine. USFDA has approved Inulin as a nutritional dietary supplement for infants. The possible applications of inulin in biomedicine research inspired by nature are presented. The therapeutic potential of inulin goes beyond its role in prebiotics and drug delivery. Recently, significant research efforts have been made towards inulin's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties for their potential applications in treating various chronic diseases. Moreover, its ability to reduce inflammation and modulate immune responses opens new avenues for treating conditions such as autoimmune disorders and gastrointestinal ailments. This review will attempt to illustrate the inulin's numerous and interconnected roles, shedding light on its critical contributions to the advancement of healthcare and biomedicine and its recent advancement in therapeutics, and conclude by taking valuable insights into the prospects and opportunities of inulin.

Optimized acid hydrolysis conditions for better characterization the structure of inulin-type fructan from Polygonatum sibiricum.

Polygonatum sibiricum is an edible plant species in China known for its abundant polysaccharides. However, correlations between its analytical methods and fine structure have not been established. This is usually due to incomplete cleavage of the glycosidic linkages and instability of hydrolysis. In this study, a new optimal acid hydrolysis method for monosaccharide composition (2 M H2SO4 for 1 h) and methylation analysis (2 mol TFA hydrolysis at 100 °C for 1 h) was developed for characterization of inulin-type fructans, resulting in significantly improved monosaccharide recovery and providing more reliable methylation data. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated through its application to the study of polysaccharide from P. sibiricum (IPS-70S). The results showed that IPS-70S with a molecular weight of 3.6 kDa is an inulin-type fructans consisting of fructose and glucose in a molar ratio of 27:1. Methylation and NMR analysis indicated that IPS-70S contains →2)-Fruf-(6 â†’ or →2)-Fruf-(1 â†’ with branching →1,6)-Fruf-(2 â†’ and terminates in Glcp-(1 â†’ or Fruf-(2→. In conclusion, optimal acid hydrolysis applicable to the specific polysaccharides contribute to its structurally characterized. The newly optimized acid hydrolysis method for monosaccharide composition and methylation analysis offers a reliable and effective approach to the structural characterization of inulin-type fructans from P. sibiricum. Providing reliable basis for the overall work of NMR analysis and structural analysis, which have potential significance in the field of polysaccharides structural characterization.

Influence of the crystallinity on the physicochemical properties of spray-dried quercetin-inulin microparticles and their performance during in vitro digestion.

Encapsulation of quercetin (Q) with inulin (In) by spray-drying was performed applying a Box-Behnken design where the effect of the inlet air temperature, percentage of inulin crystallite dispersion and Q content were studied on the crystallinity index (CI). Three microparticle systems with CI between 2 % and 20 % (Q-In-2 %, Q-In-12 % and Q-In-20 %) were selected to study the CI effect on Q release during an in vitro digestion. The higher the CI of microparticles, the higher the encapsulation efficiency (76.4 %, Q-In-20 %). Surface quercetin was steadily released during the oral, gastric, and intestinal phases of the digestion. The CI of the microparticles did not influence the Q bioaccessibility values (23.1-29.7 %). The highest Q delivery occurred during the simulated colonic phase (44.4-66.4 %) due to the action of the inulinase. The controlled crystallization in spray-dried microparticles is a promising strategy for the designing of polyphenol-based microparticles with specific delivery properties.

Properties of the extracellular alkaline inulinase produced by haloalkaliphilic phototrophic bacteria Ectothiorodospirea mobilis.

The studies have revealed alkaline exoinulinase produced by haloalkaliphilic phototrophic bacteria Ectothiorhodospirea mobilis Al-2 for the first time. A new method for the isolation of a homogeneous exoinulinase from the culture broth was developed and the properties of this enzyme have been investigated. It was shown that specified exoinulinase in contrast to the studied exoinulinases produced by microorganisms exhibits catalytic activity at the wide range of pH (7.0-10) and a temperature (20-60 °C) with a maximum of the inulolitic activity at pH 9.0 and 50 °C. The studied exoinulinase possessing also invertase activity (I/S1.4) is a monomeric protein with molecular mass 57Kda, as well as Km and Vmax for inulin 3.8 mM/ml and 10 µmol/ml/min-1, respectively. The studies of the influence of different metal ions on enzyme activity have shown that Mn+2, Cu+2, Co+2, Mg+2, NaCl 5-7% promote relatively higher catalytic activity while Zn+2, Cu+2 and Fe+2 partially suppress the enzyme activity and Hg2+completely inactivates the enzyme.The formation of only fructose and glucose at the enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin confirms that the studied exoinulinase belongs to the exo-type of enzymes. The obtained results supplement our fundamental knowledge in biochemistry-enzymology, as well as the biodiversity of microorganisms expressing exoinulinase. The studied exoinulinase exhibits activity at salinity of the medium and can potentially be used in the biotechnology of inulin bioconversion into bioproducts under alkaline conditions.

Inulin-whey protein as efficient vehicle carrier system for chlorophyll: Optimization, characterization, and functional food application.

Natural chlorophylls mostly found in vegetables such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea) could be employed as a possible substitute for synthetic colorants because of their intense green properties. However, the stability of natural chlorophyll is a major challenge to its utilization in the food industry. In this study, spray drying as an encapsulation technique was used to improve the stability of natural chlorophyll. Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize the spray drying conditions for chlorophyll. Optimum conditions were given as inlet temperature, 132°C; inulin-to-whey protein isolate ratio, 61%:39%; pump rate, 25%, resulting in 92.3% encapsulation efficiency, 69.4% solubility, and -13.5 mV zeta potential at a desirability level of 0.901. The particle size, Carr index, bulk and tapped density, polydispersity index, and color showed satisfactory results. Crystallinity, endothermic peak melting temperature, and the enthalpy of chlorophyll-loaded microcapsules increased when compared to the blank microcapsules suggesting decreased hygroscopicity and enhanced thermal stability. In addition, the suitability of fabricated microcapsules using yogurt as a food model was assessed. Yogurt incorporated with chlorophyll-loaded microcapsules showed no significant pH modification with better apparent viscosity than control and sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) yogurt after 9 days of refrigerated storage. Based on the studied responses, the spray drying process could be optimized to achieve optimal output and product quality. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Spray drying is a cheap and convenient approach for microencapsulating bioactive compounds such as chlorophyll. However, the physico-chemical and functional properties of the spray-dried microcapsules are influenced by operating conditions, such as inlet temperature, type and concentration of wall materials, and feed flow rate. Therefore, to maximize and obtain a superior quality of the final product, there is a need to optimize the spray drying process. The Box-Behnken design employed in this study could be utilized as an appropriate technique to design, enhance, and develop process parameters for the fabrication and better retention of the physico-chemical properties of spray-dried chlorophyll microcapsules.

Inulin extraction from Stevia rebaudiana roots in an autoclave.

Inulin is a polymer of d-fructose, characterized by the presence of a terminal glucose, and are a major component of Stevia rebaudiana roots. This type of polymer has nutritional properties and technological applications, such as fat substitutes in low-calorie foods and as the coating of pharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative method for inulin extraction, in terms of extraction time and yield, since the traditional method of extraction under reflux is both time and energy consuming. Using the response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design it was observed that the alternative extraction method using autoclave presented similar yields to the reflux-based method, but with a shorter extraction time, 121 °C by 17.41 min 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS) analysis showed that inulin crude extract from S. rebaudiana roots obtained by autoclave extraction had a higher degree of polymerization when compared to those obtained by the traditional method. Thus, it is concluded that the proposed method using an autoclave is a faster alternative for the extraction of inulin.

Blue agave inulin-soluble dietary fiber: effect on technological quality properties of pangasius mince emulsion-type sausage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the work was to investigate the influence of supplementing pangasius mince-based emulsion sausages with blue agave-derived inulin at 1% (T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3), 4% (T4), and 5% (T5) on its technological quality attributes and acceptability. RESULTS: The cooking yield of T-2, T-3, and T-4 sausages (96-97%) exhibited no significant difference (P > 0.05), which was higher than the other lots. The T-2 batter exhibited a significant difference with all other treatments, showing the lowest total expressible fluid (12.20%) value, indicating the highest emulsion stability of the batter. There was a significant effect on the diameter reduction of the cooked sausages as the level of inulin increased. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the proteolysis of raw mince without inulin and new bands in cooked sausage samples were observed. Increasing inulin content increased the hardness of the sausages from 2510.81 ± 114.31 g to 3415.54 ± 75.88. The differential scanning calorimetry melting temperatures of peak 2 of the T-1, T-2, T-3, and T-4 increased as the inulin content increased from 1 to 4%. The scanning electron microscope images exhibited a smooth appearance on the surface as the inulin level increased. CONCLUSION: The sausages incorporated with the 2% and 3% blue agave plant-derived inulin (T-2 and T-3) showed better sensory overall acceptability scores than the control. The results suggested that the blue agave plant-derived inulin could be efficiently utilized at the 2% and 3% levels to enhance the quality of emulsion-type pangasius sausage. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Specific protection mechanism of oligosaccharides on liposomes during freeze-drying.

Liposomes have been received much attention during the past decades as bioactive compounds carriers in food field. However, the application of liposomes is extremely limited by the structural instability during processing such as freeze-drying. In addition, the protection mechanism of lyoprotectant for liposomes during freeze-drying remains controversial. In this study, lactose, fructooligosaccharide, inulin and sucrose were used as lyoprotectants for liposomes and the physicochemical properties, structural stability and freeze-drying protection mechanism were explored. The addition of oligosaccharides could significantly suppress the changes in size and zeta potential, and the amorphous state of liposomes was negligible changed from XRD. The Tg of the four oligosaccharides, especially for sucrose (69.50 °C) and lactose (95.67 °C), revealed the freeze-dried liposomes had formed vitrification matrix, which could prevent liposomes from fusion via increasing the viscosity and reducing membrane mobility. The decrease in Tm of sucrose (147.67 °C) and lactose (181.67 °C), and the changes in functional group of phospholipid and hygroscopic capacity of lyophilized liposomes indicated oligosaccharides replaced water molecules to interact with phospholipids by hydrogen bonds. It can be concluded that the protection mechanism of sucrose and lactose as lyoprotectant was attributed to the combination of vitrification theory and water replacement hypothesis, while the water replacement hypothesis was dominated by fructooligosaccharide and inulin.

Structural elucidation and hypoglycemic effect of an inulin-type fructan extracted from Stevia rebaudiana roots.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common chronic medical condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from abnormal insulin functionality, of which type 2 DM (T2DM) is the predominant form. An inulin-type fructan, denoted as SRRP, was obtained from Stevia rebaudiana roots via hot-water extraction and alcoholic precipitation, which was subsequently purified by column chromatography. The extracted SRRP sample had a molecular weight of 5.4 × 103 Da. Structural analyses indicated that SRRP was composed of 2,1-linked-ß-D-fructofuranosyl and α-D-glucopyranosyl residues in a ratio of approximately 29 : 1. In vivo assays revealed that SRRP significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved insulin resistance, decreased oxidative stress, and regulated lipid metabolism in T2DM mouse models. In addition, SRRP altered the diversity of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in T2DM mice; it increased probiotic bacteria and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and decreased harmful bacteria. The findings demonstrate the potential of SRRP in the treatment of T2DM.

Production, purification, and characterization of inulinase from Streptomyces anulatus.

Inulinase is an enzyme that catalyzes inulin to d-fructose. This enzyme can be extracted from plants, but it is difficult to obtain it in large quantities, so its production cost is high. Therefore, microbial inulinase has great potential for industrial needs. In the last decade, there have been very few reports on actinobacterial inulinases, especially on purification and characterization of inulinase process extraction. This study aims to select actinomycetes that possess high inulinase activity from the soil. To screen inulinase-producing bacteria, modified Czapex-Dox agar supplemented with 1% inulin powder was used. The most effective isolate was Streptomyces sp. EFBO8, morphological and genotypic identification methods, confirmed that the strain is Streptomyces anulatus and that its nucleotide sequence has been deposited in GenBank under accession number OQ073700. To optimize inulinase production, kinetics were performed by using S. anulatus strain, which proved to be most productive with a value of 24,024 EU/mL. The enzyme was purified from the culture filtrate by precipitation with ammonium sulfate (NH4 )2 SO4 , followed by column chromatography Sephadex (G-50) separation. Purified protein has a molecular mass of 3331.83 Da.

Effects of inulin on calcium metabolism and bone health.

Inulin, a dietary fibre found in the roots of many plants, has positive effects on health. It is particularly noteworthy due to its positive impact on calcium metabolism. Inulin has significant functions, such as improving calcium absorption through passive diffusion, bolstering calcium absorption via ion exchange and expanding the absorption surface of the colon by stimulating cell growth. In addition, inulin boosts calcium absorption by increasing calcium solubility, stimulating levels of calcium-binding protein expression and increasing useful microorganisms. It increases calbindin levels and stimulates transcellular active calcium transport. An inulin intake of least 8-10 g/day supports calcium absorption and total body bone mineral content/density in adolescents through its known mechanisms of action. It also significantly enhances calcium absorption and improves bone health in postmenopausal women and adult men. Sustained and sufficient inulin supplementation in adults has a positive effect on calcium metabolism and bone mineral density.

Gamma-irradiation of inulin improves its biological functionality and feasibility as a functional ingredient in synbiotic food.

Inulin, a dietary fibre, is widely used as a prebiotic, sugar replacer, and texture modifier in the food industry. In this study, we have shown that irradiation affects the physicochemical properties of inulin, which in turn improves its biological functionality and feasibility as a functional ingredient in synbiotic foods. The biological functionality of 25 kGy-irradiated inulin (IRI) was assessed in terms of antioxidant capacity, protective action against intracellular ROS, and prebiotic activity. Antioxidant assays revealed that irradiated inulin had improved antioxidant activity, which was even greater than that of fructooligosaccharides. Furthermore, IRI was found to be comparatively more effective in maintaining low intracellular ROS levels. The in vitro fermentation studies showed that IRI had higher bifidogenic efficacy than fructooligosaccharides and unirradiated inulin. A synbiotic low-fat yogurt containing IRI (8.5 %) was prepared. In terms of sensory attributes, the developed product was comparable to a commercially available non-synbiotic and high-fat containing product.

Iterative Synthesis of Inulin-Type Fructooligosaccharides Enabled by Stereoselective ß-d-Fructofuranosylation.

Inulin-type fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) constitute an abundant subgroup of fructans with important biological activities. However, the availability of individual fructooligosaccharides with an accurate structure in high purity and quality remains challenging. We herein report the first iterative synthesis of five inulin-type FOSs with degrees of polymerization ranging from 3 to 7 via highly stereoselective ß-(2 → 1)-d-fructofuranosylation on a gram scale. Central to the synthesis is the decisive use of the 1-O-TIPS-6-O-picoloyl-protected fructofuranosyl thioglycoside donor, which assured the excellent ß-selective glycosylation by the hydrogen-bond-mediated aglycone delivery (HAD).

Green Coffee Extract Microencapsulated: Physicochemical Characteristics, Stability, Bioaccessibility, and Sensory Acceptability through Dairy Beverage Consumption.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of spray drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD) on the microencapsulation of green coffee extracts by using polydextrose (PD) and inulin (IN) as encapsulating agents and their physicochemical, bioactive compounds' stability, phenolic compounds' bioaccessibility after digestion, and sensory effects in unfermented dairy beverages. The extract encapsulated with IN by FD had lower moisture content, water activity, and hygroscopicity, while particles encapsulated by SD exhibited a spherical shape and the structure of the FD products was irregular. No difference was observed in phenolic compounds' bioaccessibility. Dairy beverages with added encapsulated extracts had higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Microencapsulation allowed a controlled release of the bioactive compounds with an increase in the content of caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline during storage. The dairy beverage with added extract encapsulated with IN by FD had the highest scores of acceptability regarding the overall impression and purchase intent.

An inulin-type fructan (AMP1-1) from Atractylodes macrocephala with anti-weightlessness bone loss activity.

Atractylodes macrocephalon polysaccharides of alleviating weightlessness-induced bone loss (WIBL) are rarely reported. In this study, a neutral polysaccharide fragment named AMP1-1 was isolated and purified. Monosaccharide composition and gel permeation chromatography analysis indicated that AMP1-1 was composed of glucose and fructose with molecular weight of 1.433 kDa. Based on data of gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GCMS), a linear backbone consisted of α-d-Glcp-(1→ and →1)-ß-d-Fruf-2→ was discovered. Combining results from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the inulin-type fructan AMP1-1 was identified as α-d-Glcp-1→(2-ß-d-Fruf-1)7. Anti-WIBL activity of AMP1-1 was evaluated though analyzation of mechanical properties, BALP and TRAP 5b activities on femur. In vitro mRNA expression indicated that anti-WIBL activity of AMP1-1 was achieved by promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption in primary osteoblasts and RAW264.7 cell lines under simulated weightlessness. In conclusion, the inulin-type fructan AMP1-1 with α-d-Glcp-1→(2-ß-d-Fruf-1)7 had anti-WIBL activity via remodeling bone homeostasis.

Effect of the addition of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis (BB-12) in free and microencapsulated form and the prebiotic inulin to synbiotic dry coppa.

The effect of the addition of the prebiotic inulin and free and microencapsulated Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis (BB-12) strains to synbiotic dry coppa formulations was evaluated during 45 days of ripening. The following formulations were made: control C without probiotic and prebiotic; PROB with free probiotic; SYNB with free probiotic and inulin; ENPROB with microencapsulated probiotic, and ENSYNB with microencapsulated probiotic and inulin. The incorporation of BB-12 with inulin provided adequate physicochemical characteristics (proximate composition, weight loss, pH, water activity (aw), and instrumental color). The treatments PRO and SYNB showed lower lipid and protein oxidation levels. The treatments PROB, SYNB, ENPROB, and ENSYNB had viable cell counts above 109 CFU/g and can be considered probiotic. In the in vitro gastrointestinal simulation, the BB-12 strain showed survival and growth capacity in saline solution and at low pH values for all treatments. The sample SYNB was the most accepted by the assessors in the sensory evaluation. Therefore, dry coppa can be used as a vehicle for the development of a synbiotic fermented meat product.