Inulin is a type of prebiotic. It's not digested or absorbed in the stomach. It stays in the bowel and helps certain beneficial bacteria to grow.
Inulin is a starchy substance found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, artichokes, and asparagus.
Role:
- As prebiotic
- Sugar replacer
- Fat replacer
- Texture modifier.
Inulin may also significantly affect the sensory attributes of many products. The inulin that is used in supplements most commonly comes from soaking chicory roots in hot water.
Standard inulin is slightly sweet, while high-performance inulin is not. Its solubility is higher than the classical fibres. When thoroughly mixed with liquid, inulin forms a gel and a white creamy structure, which is similar to fat. Its three-dimensional gel network, consisting of insoluble submicron crystalline inulin particles, immobilizes a large amount of water, assuring its physical stability. It can also improve the stability of foams and emulsions.
It is not digested by enzymes in the human alimentary system, contributing to its functional properties: reduced calorie value, dietary fiber, and prebiotic effects. Without color and odor, it has little impact on sensory characteristics of food products. Oligofructose has 35% of the sweetness of sucrose, and its sweetening profile is similar to sugar. Standard inulin is slightly sweet, while high-performance inulin is not. Its solubility is higher than the classical fibers. When thoroughly mixed with liquid, inulin forms a gel and a white creamy structure, which is similar to fat.
Role in food:
- It is approved by the FDA as an ingredient to enhance the dietary fiber value of manufactured foods.
- Its flavor ranges from bland to subtly sweet (about 10% of the sweetness of sugar/sucrose).
- It can be used to replace sugar, fat, and flour.
- It helps in promoting the growth of intestinal bacteria.
- Chicory inulin is reported to increase absorption of calcium in young women with lower calcium absorption.
- In terms of nutrition, it is considered a form of soluble fiber and is sometimes categorized as a prebiotic.
Source:
- Chicory roots
- Sucrose
