Inulin

DS9005805

Inulin belongs to a class of oligosaccharide called fructans, which are a chain of fructose molecules strung together. It is found naturally in the roots or rhizomes of some plants and is used to store energy for the plants. Therefore, inulin can be found in some fruits and vegetables, including wheat, onions, bananas, artichokes, and leeks. Similar to other fructans, inulin is also a type of dietary fiber. It is not digested or absorbed in the stomach and is beneficial to the growth of probiotics.
CAS No: 9005-80-5

Require

DescriptionSpecificationFunctionApplication

Description

Inulin is a white amorphous powder that is easily soluble in water. An inulin molecule contains two to sixty fructose units connected via β-(2, 1) glycosidic bonds with a terminal glucose unit. According to the length of the chain, inulins can be classified into long-chain and short-chain inulins. Long-chain inulins are often used to improve the texture of reduced-fat products. Compared to long-chain inulins, short-chain inulins are more soluble in water and their sweetness is higher (about 30%-50% of sucrose). So short-chain inulin is used to help reduce some sugars and sugar substitutes. Gels can form when inulin solution concentrations reach 10%-30%, and their viscosity increases as concentration increases. In addition, inulin has strong hygroscopicity and can bind free water, so it can also be used in food processing to delay the evaporation of water.

Specification

Item	Inulin Powder
Assay, %	> 90.0
Appearance	White fine powder
Oder	Characteristic
Loss on Drying, %	<5.0
Heavy Metals, ppm	< 20
Particle Size	100% through 80 Mesh
Shelf Life	2 years

Item	Inulin Syrup
Assay, %	> 90.0
Appearance	Light yellow liquid
Glucose+Fructose+Sucrose, %	≤10.0
Loss on Drying, %	≤4.5
Residue on Lgnition, %	≤0.2
PH Value	4.5-7.0
Pb, ppm	≤3

Function

As one of the representatives of soluble dietary fiber, inulin has similar functions to resistant dextrin and polydextrose. All of them have positive effects on digestion, blood sugar, blood lipids, and weight control. Here are the specific functions of inulin in the digestive system and weight management.

Digestive system

The gut microbiota is complex and contains more than 400 species of bacteria, including both healthy and erroneous bacteria. A proper balance of bacteria helps keep your gut healthy. And inulin plays an important role in the balance of gut bacteria. Furthermore, inulin can promote the growth of probiotics, increase the amounts of healthy bacteria, improve digestion, relieve constipation symptoms, and improve inflammatory bowel disease symptoms.

Digestive system

Weight management

As a soluble fiber, inulin can mix with other fluids in the body to form a gel after entering the body. This slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, thereby increasing the duration of satiety. In addition, inulin not only stabilizes blood sugar levels in the body, but also helps reduce appetite by regulating specific hormones that control appetite levels. As a result of all of these functions, inulin contributes to weight loss in a positive manner.

Weight management

Application

Beverages and dairy products

Inulin's high solubility and sweetness make it easier to add to beverages and dairy products and gives them extra body. When consumed with dairy products that contain inulin, the gut's pH is lowered and calcium absorption is enhanced. Therefore, the consumption of these products containing inulin can help strengthen the good gut bacteria, thereby improving gut motility and relieving constipation.

Bakery products

As a fiber, inulin mostly enhances the taste and texture of foods. By adding inulin to bakery products, the product has better water retention ability and stays moist and fresh for a longer period of time. Inulin improves the crispiness of bakery products as well. Additionally, inulin can be used to replace a portion of the natural fat in low-fat baked goods and improve their nutritional value.

In addition, inulin can also be used in meat products, breakfast cereals, confectionery, chocolate, health products, etc.

Reference

Shoaib, M.; et al. Inulin: Properties, health benefits and food applications. Carbohydr Polym. 2016, 147: 444-454.

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