Isolation and prebiotic activity of inulin-type fructan extracted from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen roots

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2015-09, Vol.80, p.392-399
• Main Authors: Caleffi, Edilainy Rizzieri, Krausová, Gabriela, Hyršlová, Ivana, Paredes, Larry Ladislao Ramos, dos Santos, Marcelo Müller, Sassaki, Guilherme Lanzi, Gonçalves, Regina Aparecida Correia, de Oliveira, Arildo José Braz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amaranthaceae; Amaranthaceae - chemistry; Chemical Precipitation; Inulin; Inulin - chemistry; Inulin - isolation & purification; Inulin - pharmacology; Lactobacillus - drug effects; Lactobacillus - growth & development; Pfaffia glomerata; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Roots - chemistry; Polymerization; Prebiotic; Prebiotics
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.06.053

•We isolated and chemically characterized inulin extracted from P. glomerata roots.•The extracted inulin consists of (2→1)-linked β-d-fructofuranosyl units.•Pfaffia inulin enhances the growth of bifidobacterial and lactobacillary populations.•P. glomerata represents a promising new source of inulin-type prebiotics. Pfaffia glomerata (Amaranthaceae) is popularly known as “Brazilian ginseng.” Previous studies have shown that fructose is the major carbohydrate component present in its roots. Inulin-type fructans, polymers of fructose, are the most widespread and researched prebiotics. Here, we isolated and chemically characterized inulin extracted from P. glomerata roots and investigated its potential prebiotic effect. Fructans were isolated and their structures were determined using colorimetric, chromatography, polarimetry, and spectroscopic analysis. The degree of polymerization (DP) was determined, and an in vitro prebiotic test was performed. The structure of inulin was confirmed by chromatography and spectroscopic analysis and through comparison with existing data. Representatives from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium utilized inulin from P. glomerata, because growth was significantly stimulated, while this ability is strain specific. The results indicated that inulin extracted from P. glomerata roots represents a promising new source of inulin-type prebiotics.