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Background: Supplementation with the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety fructans is a feasible treatment option for functional constipation (FC). However, its effects on colonic function have not yet been studied. This study assessed whole gut transit time (WGTT) and regional transit time using a wireless motility capsule (WMC) before and after supplementation with different fiber treatments in patients with FC. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on data collected from a randomized, double‐blind clinical trial comparing agave fructans with psyllium plantago. WGTT, regional transit time, contractility, and pH were measured using WMC before and after fiber supplementation. Comparisons were performed using nonparametric tests. Key Results: Twenty patients with FC were evaluated, with a median age of 39 (25–54 years), and 18 (90%) were women. Five patients were included in each intervention group. There were no changes in WGTT or regional transit times between the groups (p > 0.05). Similarly, there were no differences in the changes experienced by regional or general contractility among the groups (p > 0.05). The cecal pH profile did not differ between the groups before and after fiber supplementation (p > 0.05). The percentages of clinical responses and consistency of bowel movements between the groups were similar. Conclusions & Inferences: FC presents a clinical response to a fiber challenge, regardless of the administered intervention. However, this response was not associated with improvement in contractility or regional transit time. We speculate that there are other mechanisms by which fiber consumption may improve FC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inulin and inulin-derived fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are well-known prebiotics for use in companion animals and livestock. The mechanisms by which FOS contribute to health has not been fully established. Further, the fine chemistry of fructan structures from diverse sources, such as graminan-type fructans found in cereal crops, has not been fully elucidated. New methods to study fructan structure and microbial responses to these complex carbohydrates will be key for evaluating the prebiotic potency of cereal fructans found in cattle feeds. As the rumen microbiome composition is closely associated with their metabolic traits, such as feed utilization and waste production, prebiotics and probiotics represent promising additives to shift the microbial community toward a more productive state. Results: Within this study, inulin, levan, and graminan-type fructans from winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley were used to assess the capacity of rumen-derived Bifidobacterium boum, Bifidobacterium merycicum, and Lactobacillus vitulinus to metabolize diverse fructans. Graminan-type fructans were purified and structurally characterized from the stems and kernels of each plant. All three bacterial species grew on FOS, inulin, and cereal crop fructans in pure cultures. L. vitulinus was the only species that could metabolize levan, albeit its growth was delayed. Fluorescently labelled polysaccharides (FLAPS) were used to demonstrate interactions with Gram-positive bacteria and confirm fructan metabolism at the single-cell level; these results were in agreement with the individual growth profiles of each species. The prebiotic potential of inulin was further investigated within naïve rumen microbial communities, where increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species occurred in a dose-dependent and temporal-related manner. This was supported by in situ analysis of rumen microbiota from cattle fed inulin. FLAPS probe derived from inulin and fluorescent in situ hybridization using taxon-specific probes confirmed that inulin interacts with Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli at the single-cell level. Conclusion: This research revealed that rumen-derived Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli vary in their metabolism of structurally diverse fructans, and that inulin has limited prebiotic potential in the rumen. This knowledge establishes new methods for evaluating the prebiotic potential of fructans from diverse plant sources as prebiotic candidates for use in ruminants and other animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sour cassava starch is obtained by spontaneous fermentation of the starch cake immediately after being extracted, followed by sun‐drying, where oxidation reactions take place that are essential for the enhanced baking expansion of this starch. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of adding a different polysaccharide to the starch cake before sun‐drying in the characteristics of the obtained product. Inulin is chosen for being a soluble prebiotic fiber that may improve the nutritional quality of the starch. Inulin modifies the oxidation of the fermented starch during sun‐drying, and forms a film around the granules that hinder their swelling and water retention capacity. The crystallinity of the inulin is increased by hydration and sun‐drying. Adding inulin to the fermented starch before sun‐drying reduces its expansion capacity, but in a lower rate than when inulin is added after sun‐drying. The fermented starch sun‐dried with inulin produces a baked snack with similar texture to that of the sour starch alone, and softer than that from the native starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) comprise several previously unrelated carbohydrates, such as fructans, fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, fructose (in excess of glucose), mannitol and sorbitol, and among others. For many patients with gastro-intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, the ingestion of FODMAP triggers symptoms and causes discomfort. Among the main contributors to the dietary FODMAP intake are baking products, in particular bread as a major global staple food. This is primarily due to the fructan content of the cereal flours, but also process induced accumulation of FODMAP is possible. To provide low-FODMAP baking products, researchers have investigated various approaches, such as bio-process reduction by yeast, lactic acid bacteria, germination of the raw material or the use of exogenous enzymes. In addition, the selection of appropriate ingredients, which are either naturally or after pretreatment suitable for low-FODMAP products, is discussed. The sensory and nutritional quality of low-FODMAP baking products is another issue, that is addressed, with particular focus on providing sufficient dietary fiber intake. Based on this information, the current state of low-FODMAP baking and future research necessities, to establish practical strategies for low-FODMAP products, are evaluated in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructans are commonly used as dietary fibre supplements for their ability to promote the growth of beneficial gut microbes. However, fructan consumption has been associated with various dosage-dependent side effects. We characterised side effects in an exploratory analysis of a randomised trial in healthy adults (n = 40) who consumed 18 g/day inulin or placebo. We found that individuals weighing more or habitually consuming higher fibre exhibited the best tolerance. Furthermore, we identified associations between gut microbiome composition and host tolerance. Specifically, higher levels of Christensenellaceae R-7 group were associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, and a machine-learning-based approach successfully predicted high levels of flatulence, with [Ruminococcus] torques group and (Oscillospiraceae) UCG-002 sp. identified as key predictive taxa. These data reveal trends that can help guide personalised recommendations for initial inulin dosage. Our results support prior ecological findings indicating that fibre supplementation has the greatest impact on individuals whose baseline fibre intake is lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early sprouting is a main cause of onion spoilage during storage. However, limited knowledge is available on which factors trigger sprouting. Here, this was studied in the Hyfive and Exhibition cultivars, which largely differ in sprouting time. Sprouting progress was compared to the fructan and abscisic acid (ABA) profiles in the bulb scales and basal plates. Fructan concentrations decreased in the scales from harvest time onwards in the late-sprouting cultivar Hyfive, while remaining constant in the cultivar Exhibition until internal sprouting. In the basal plates, fructan concentrations increased in both cultivars from approximately one month after harvest, but reached maximum concentrations at moments that could not be related to the difference in internal sprouting. ABA levels generally decreased in the scales of both cultivars, while increasing in their basal plates. Nevertheless, for fructans, the measured variation in ABA concentrations was not consistently associated with differences in internal sprouting. A subsequent perturbation of internal sprouting by Maleic Hydrazide treatment in the cultivar Hyfive confirmed a lack of correlation. Altogether, this indicates that fructan and ABA levels in the scales and basal plate tissue change independent of internal sprouting and cannot be regarded as predictive markers for sprouting and storability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a world where climate change and sustainability are at the forefront, innovative solutions are more pressing than ever. In the production process of distillates, the critical stage is the cooking of agave for thermal hydrolysis of fructans. This stage determines the efficiency of the process, incurs the highest production cost, and has a detrimental impact on the environment. In this study, we investigate the saccharification of agave fructans in fresh juice using fructanases produced in situ by Kluyveromyces marxianus as an alternative to traditional agave cooking. furthermore, we explore both sequential and simultaneous alcoholic fermentation processes using a native mixed culture to improve the overall yield and obtain a distillate with enjoyable sensory characteristics. The results show that saccharification and simultaneous fermentation allow for obtaining a fermented product containing an average of 7% alcohol. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis shows that the distillate is essentially an ethanol – water mixture with a broad profile and high concentration of volatile compounds. The composition of the distilled product provides a well-balanced sensory experience that is highly valued by consumers. Hence, for the first time, a novel, efficient, low-cost, and sustainable process for producing agave distillates has been successfully designed.

In this study, nine commercial ice creams and four prototypes were assessed. For the sensory analysis, quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA), and temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) methodology were used. According to the QDA results, full‐composition ice cream showed significantly higher differences (p <.05) in terms such as vanilla and sweet flavors, brightness, creamy texture and appearance, and viscosity, exhibiting longer melting times. Functional ice creams showed significantly higher differences (p <.05) in terms like viscosity, creamy texture, and appearance. On the other hand, agave fructans in prototype ice creams were found to be able to reduce fat, but not fat and sugar simultaneously, showing a significant decrease (p <.05) in terms such as hardness, crystallized texture, gummy texture, and porosity. Based on the PCA results, the analysis accounted for 75.28% of data variability. Full‐composition ice creams and one functional ice cream were related to terms such as viscosity, fatty sensation, creamy texture and appearance, dense, gummy, among others. The rest of the commercial ice creams were related to vanilla and caramel flavor and smell, artificial aftertaste, aerated, porosity, among others. Prototype ice creams were related to hard texture, salty and milk flavor, and crystallized texture. Based on the results of the TDS method, all formulations were found to be significantly dominant (5%) in terms such as vanilla flavor and sweet flavor at the beginning of the test. Formulations containing butyric fat and/or vegetable fat, or agave fructans were significantly dominant (5%) in fatty sensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in precipitation and snow melt during warmer winters can increase low‐temperature waterlogging. Such conditions may bring about different effects when compared with a single stress trigger, such as low‐temperature or water excess. The effects of waterlogging are clearly related to water temperature, and the consequences of water excess might be less severe, as more oxygen is dissolved in colder water. The effect of waterlogging during cold acclimation (CA) is poorly understood; most experiments concerning water excess are performed at relatively high‐temperatures. In this study, we examined the effect of 3 weeks of waterlogging (approx. 2 cm above the soil level) on CA in Festuca pratensis Huds. (Fp), a cool‐season grass. Measurements were taken before CA (after prehardening, before flooding) and after 3 weeks of CA in waterlogged (treated) and non‐waterlogged (control) plants. The work included: (i) freezing tolerance test (regrowth after freezing), (ii) analysis of abscisic acid (ABA) content in the leaf, (iii) leaf stomatal conductance, (iv) leaf water content, (v) carbohydrates analysis, including fructans, and (vi) transcript levels of selected genes involved in freezing tolerance, ABA signalling and fructan biosynthesis. The aim of the study was to test a hypothesis that low‐temperature waterlogging in Fp enhances freezing tolerance (plant regrowth after freezing) related to increased ABA accumulation, increased C‐repeat‐binding transcription factor expression and/or increased carbohydrate accumulation, including fructans. Two out of four genotypes exhibited enhanced regrowth following freezing due to waterlogging relative to control. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive correlation between ABA levels and freezing tolerance in both treatments, with a more pronounced effect observed in the waterlogged plants. However, the phytohormone played different roles in these two treatments. In the context of low‐temperature waterlogging, ABA may be involved in the dehydration tolerance response in genotypes suffering from physiological drought, as well as the induction of C‐repeat‐binding transcription factors (CBFs) and sucrose, which may improve freezing tolerance. The increased fructan amount and polymerisation degree due to waterlogging may provide a carbohydrate sink to maintain a high photosynthetic efficiency, but are not directly responsible for freezing tolerance changes. The study indicates that tolerance mechanisms of Fp exposed to low‐temperature waterlogging involve maintaining a high photosynthetic rate, as well as oxidative and dehydration stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inulin is a carbohydrate that belongs to fructans; due to its health benefits, it is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this research, cabuya (Agave americana) was employed to obtain inulin by pulsed electric field-assisted extraction (PEFAE) and FTIR analysis confirmed its presence. The influence of PEFAE operating parameters, namely, electric field strength (1, 3 and 5 kV/cm), pulse duration (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 ms), number of pulses (10,000, 20,000 and 40,000) and work cycle (20, 50 and 80%) on the permeabilization index and energy expenditure were tested. Also, once the operating conditions for PEFAE were set, the temperature for conventional extraction (CE) and PEFAE were defined by comparing extraction kinetics. The cabuya meristem slices were exposed to PEFAE to obtain extracts that were quantified, purified and concentrated. The inulin was isolated by fractional precipitation with ethanol to be characterized. The highest permeabilization index and the lowest energy consumption were reached at 5 kV/cm, 0.5 ms, 10,000 pulses and 20%. The same extraction yield and approximately the same amount of inulin were obtained by PEFAE at 60 °C compared to CE at 80 °C. Despite, the lower amount of inulin obtained by PEFAE in comparison to CE, its quality was better because it is mainly constituted of inulin of high average polymerization degree with more than 38 fructose units. In addition, TGA analyses showed that inulin obtained by PEFAE has a lower thermal degradation rate than the obtained by CE and to the standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perennity of grassland species such as Lolium perenne greatly depends on their ability to regrow after cutting or grazing. Refoliation largely relies on the mobilization of fructans in the remaining tissues and on the associated sucrose synthesis and transport towards the basal leaf meristems. However, nothing is known yet about the sucrose synthesis pathway. Sucrose Phosphate Synthase (SPS) and Sucrose Synthase (SuS) activities, together with their transcripts, were monitored during the first hours after defoliation along the leaf axis of mature leaf sheaths and elongating leaf bases (ELB) where the leaf meristems are located. In leaf sheaths, which undergo a sink‐source transition, fructan and sucrose contents declined while SPS and SuS activities increased, along with the expression of LpSPSA, LpSPSD.2, LpSuS1, LpSuS2, and LpSuS4. In ELB, which continue to act as a strong carbon sink, SPS and SuS activities increased to varying degrees while the expression of all the LpSPS and LpSuS genes decreased after defoliation. SPS and SuS both contribute to refoliation but are regulated differently depending on the source or sink status of the tissues. Together with fructan metabolism, they represent key determinants of ryegrass perennity and, more generally, of grassland sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to development of a new chocolate-flavored powdered food supplement enriched with mesquite pod flour, oak extract and agave fructans, with proper sensory characteristics as well as its physicochemical and glycemic quality. Design/methodology/approach: A powdered shake was formulated using experimental design (23) with mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) pod flour, oak (Quercus convallata) extracts, nonalkalinized cocoa, agave fructans, milk protein and xanthan gum. Sensory analysis (choice profile method, ranking test, focus group, quantitative descriptive analysis), moisture, ash, fiber, protein and lipids, pH, color, wettability, dispersibility and rheological tests were done. Phenolic profiling analysis to samples was done by ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical cation, ferric reducing antioxidant power and oxygen radical absorbance capacity, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load were evaluated. Findings: The main sensory attributes in the powders were chocolate, bitter, astringent, grass/linseed flavors (p < 0.05). The product has protein [66.9%], carbohydrates [22.0%], lipids [1.6%], ash [2.7%] and moisture [6.8%], with wettability (23 s), and dispersibility of 77.9%. Catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, procyanidin B2, chlorogenic, coumaric and ferulic acids were identified. GI and caloric load not show differences between men (73.3±2.4, 4.4±0.1) and women (67.0±2.1, 4.1±0.1) (p > 0.05). Originality/value: The use of mesquite pods, oak and agave fructans in powder food supplement is an alternative to obtain a product high in protein, with good sensory properties, antioxidant activity and moderate GI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are a core part of cultural identity, as part of a diet, decorations, ceremonies, or as medicinal agents. Empirical knowledge regarding plants and their healing potential has existed worldwide for centuries. With the advance of science and technology, not only is the refinement of such sources or isolation of specific compounds possible, but these compounds can also be characterized based on their natural occurrence. Besides their importance for plant metabolism and structure, polysaccharides have been demonstrated to have substantial positive human health impacts on inflammation, metabolism, oxidative stress, and others. As an inherent part of plant cell walls, many polysaccharides from medicinal herbs, such as fructans, glucans, and pectins, have been extracted and analyzed for their structure and function. However, a review summarizing a significant portion of these studies was still unavailable. This review helps to fill the knowledge gap between polysaccharide bioactivity, their structure, and their plant matrix sources, focusing on historical medicinal usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biocatalytic approach based on Levansucrase (LS)-catalyzed transfructosylation reaction is of particular interest for the synthesis of well-defined FOSs and β-(2−6)-levan. The present study aims to characterize the catalytic properties, kinetics, and end-product profiles of new LSs derived from Novosphingobium aromaticivoran s, Vibrio natriegens, Gluconobacter oxydans, and Burkholderia graminis. The optimal conditions for achieving the highest ratio of transfructosylation to hydrolysis was achieved were identified as follows: N. aromaticivorans LS1 (T 45 °C, pH 6, E a 33.88 kJ/mol), V. natriegens LS2 (T= 45 °C, pH 5, E a = 12.74 kJ/mol), B. graminis LS3 (T= 35 °C, pH 7, E a = 20.72 kJ/mol), and G. oxydans LS4 (T= 30 °C, pH 5, E a = 51.85 kJ/mol). The kinetic study revealed that LS from G. oxydans LS4 had the highest catalytic efficiency for the transfructosylation of sucrose (112.96 s−1M−1) and raffinose (1142.7 s−1 M−1) than their hydrolysis (39.15 and 16.5 s−1M−1 respectively). Our results highlighted the end-product profile of each LS using sucrose and raffinose as donor substrates. V. natriegens LS2 and B. graminis LS3-catalyzed sucrose bioconversion reaction resulted in the synthesis of more diverse FOSs. When compared to FOSs, all LSs catalyzing sucrose and raffinose bioconversion produced high yields of oligolevans/levans. [Display omitted] • Catalytic properties and optimum conditions for achieving the highest transfructosylation to hydrolysis ratio were identified for 4 novel levansucrases (LSs). • LS from G. oxydans exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency for the transfructosylation of sucrose and raffinose. • All LSs exhibited higher catalytic efficiency towards transfructosylation of raffinose than its hydrolysis. • V. natriegens and B. graminis LSs catalyzing sucrose transfructosylation led to diverse fructooligosaccharides (FOSs). • All LSs catalyzing sucrose and raffinose bioconversion led to high yields of oligolevans/levans than FOSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gluten-free foods (GF) availability on supermarket shelves is growing and it is expected to continue expanding in the years ahead. These foods have been linked to a lower content of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs), molecules that trigger gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive persons. In this study, the FODMAP content of 25 cereal-based GF foods in Spain (breakfast cereals, pasta, bread, biscuits, bakery products, and dough and puff pastry) and 25 gluten-containing equivalents (GC) available in the same supermarket were analysed and compared. Lactose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, mannitol, raffinose, stachyose and fructans were quantified. In a like-by-like analysis, GF foods were found to generally contain fewer FODMAPs than their GC counterparts. The ingredients used in the manufacture of GF cereal-based foods may contribute to this fact. When the individually wrapped size was considered, the proportion of samples classified as high-FODMAPs in GC and GF foods showed a trend towards fewer samples in the GF. However, not all the GF samples were low-FODMAP. Altogether, our findings provide essential information for FODMAP content databases of GF products in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its taste, texture, and aroma, chocolate is consumed as a way to generate pleasant sensations. Due to its high caloric density, moderate consumption is recommended. Seeking to offer the benefits of this product to a more selective public, the aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition and sensory properties of a sugar-free dark chocolate added with inulin and sweetened with stevia extract obtained by pressurized hot water, which was compared with a commercial dark chocolate and accompanied by a sensory analysis of the samples. A completely randomized statistical experimental design was used to compare the properties of the alternative and commercial chocolates. The treatments were carried out in triplicate and the results obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance with 95 % confidence level. The results showed that the treatment of stevia leaves with hot pressurized water allowed an extraction of 41.51 g of steviol glycosides for rebaudioside A and 6.76 g for stevioside per 100 g of leaves subjected to processing. The chemical analysis of the alternative and commercial chocolates indicated that the fat and total dietary fiber contents showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the dark chocolates, unlike the other components. Moisture, ash, fat, and protein contents were slightly higher in the two types of chocolate, and carbohydrate content was 4.1 % lower than in the commercial chocolate. Both products had 0 % added sugars and high dietary fiber content (> 37 %), and there was a reduction of 100 kcal/100 g compared to the commercial brand. Consumer sensory evaluation showed a higher level of liking (p < 0.05) for the elaborated chocolate with respect to the commercial product in attributes such as appearance, color, and texture. These findings suggest the use of stevia extracts obtained by pressurized hot water as a non-caloric sweetener for healthy, alternative dark chocolates suitable for people with diabetes.

Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha−1), medium (10 L ha−1), and high (15 L ha−1), with a cellular density of 1 × 108 CFU mL−1 and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4–5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6–7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three crude polysaccharides of RCP-A, B, and C were derived from the rhizome of Rohdea chinensis by means of hot water extraction, gradient ethanol precipitation and dialysis. Three different polysaccharides of RCP-C1-1, RCP-C1-2, and RCP-C1-3 were isolated using cellulose DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-200 chromatography from RCP-C. The average molecular weights of RCP-C1-1, RCP-C1-2, and RCP-C1-3 were measured as 1.51×104, 1.06×104, and 4.86×10³ by means of MALDI-TOF MS and UHPGC, respectively. All three polysaccharides were found to consist of D-fructose and D-glucose following hydrolysis and comparison with literature data. Based on FT-IR and NMR analysis, the polysaccharides were identified as inulin-type fructans, with their backbone composed of α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-(β-D-fructofuranosyl)n-(1→2)-β-Dfructofuranoside (nRCP-C1-1=79, nRCP-C1-2=58, nRCP-C1-3=27). The anti-tumor activity of the polysaccharides (RCPA, B, and C) was evaluated in H22 tumor-bearing mice. The results suggested that the polysaccharides (RCP-A, RCP-B, and RCP-C) inhibited the growth of H22 hepatocellular. Further, the treated groups of RCP-A, RCP-B, and RCP-C exhibited improvements in body weight as well as spleen/thymus indexes in H22 tumor-bearing mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid hydrolysis serves as the primary method for determining the monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides. However, inappropriate acid hydrolysis conditions may catalyze the breakdown of monosaccharides such as fructans (Fru), generating non-sugar by-products that affect the accuracy of monosaccharide composition analysis. In this study, we determined the monosaccharide recovery rate and non-sugar by-product formation of inulin-type fructan (ITF) and Fru under varied acid hydrolysis conditions using HPAEC-PAD and UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS, respectively. The results revealed significant variations in the recovery rate of Fru within ITF under different hydrolysis conditions, while glucose remained relatively stable. Optimal hydrolysis conditions for achieving a relatively high monosaccharide recovery rate for ITF entailed 80 °C, 2 h, and 1 M sulfuric acid. Furthermore, we validated the stability of Fru during acid hydrolysis. The results indicated that Fru experienced significant degradation with an increasing temperature and acid concentration, with a pronounced decrease observed when the temperature exceeds 100 °C or the H2SO4 concentration surpasses 2 M. Finally, three common by-products associated with Fru degradation, namely 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde, and furfural, were identified in both Fru and ITF hydrolysis processes. These findings revealed that the degradation of Fru under acidic conditions was a vital factor leading to inaccuracies in determining the Fru content during ITF monosaccharide analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asparagus is a healthy food appreciated for its organoleptic characteristics, nutritional composition and physiological properties. During its industrial processing, a large amount of by-products are generated, since only the apical part of the vegetable is considered edible and a large amount of by-products are generated that could be of nutritional interest. Therefore, the nutritional composition of the edible part and the two by-products of the plant (root and stem) was evaluated, including dietary fiber, inulin, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates, low-molecular-weight polyphenols and macromolecular polyphenols. The hydration properties, oil retention capacity, glucose retardation index and impact on bacterial growth of both probiotic bacteria and pathogenic strains were determined. All samples were high in fiber (>22 g/100 g dw), fructans (>1.5 g/100 g dw) and polyphenolic compounds (>3 g/100 g dw) and had good water-, oil- and glucose-binding capacity. In addition, they promoted the growth of probiotic strains but not pathogenic ones. The effects were more pronounced in the spear by-product samples and appear to be related to the components of dietary fiber. The results indicate that edible spear has potential beneficial effects on host health and microbiota when ingested as part of a healthy diet, while the by-products could be used as supplements and/or as natural ingredients in fiber-enriched foods that require emulsification and are intended to achieve a prebiotic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reproductive disorders and adverse cardiometabolic risk factors that can negatively impact the general health of women. Inulin‐type fructans (ITFs) are proposed to beneficially affect risk factors associated with metabolic disorders. Whether ITFs can help with the management of PCOS by modifying insulin resistance (IR) and androgen levels has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ITFs with different degrees of polymerization on insulin resistance, blood lipids, anthropometric measures, and hormonal status in overweight and obese women with PCOS. In a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, seventy‐five women with PCOS aged 18–40 years old were randomly assigned to receive 10 g/day of high‐performance inulin (HPI) or oligofructose‐enriched inulin (OEI) or maltodextrin for 12 weeks. Biochemical and clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Participants in the HPI and OEI groups experienced improvements in waist circumference, total testosterone, free androgen index, sex hormone‐binding globulin, and triglycerides compared to the placebo group. Also, the number of women with irregular menses or oligomenorrhoea decreased significantly in both ITF groups. Participants in the HPI group reported lower body mass, fasting insulin, and HOMA‐IR, as well as a higher quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. ITF supplementation, especially with long‐chain ITFs, when given for 12 weeks may improve metabolic outcomes, androgen status and clinical manifestations in women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early sprouting is a main cause of onion spoilage during storage. However, limited knowledge is available on which factors trigger sprouting. Here, this was studied in the Hyfive and Exhibition cultivars, which largely differ in sprouting time. Sprouting progress was compared to the fructan and abscisic acid (ABA) profiles in the bulb scales and basal plates. Fructan concentrations decreased in the scales from harvest time onwards in the late-sprouting cultivar Hyfive, while remaining constant in the cultivar Exhibition until internal sprouting. In the basal plates, fructan concentrations increased in both cultivars from approximately one month after harvest, but reached maximum concentrations at moments that could not be related to the difference in internal sprouting. ABA levels generally decreased in the scales of both cultivars, while increasing in their basal plates. Nevertheless, for fructans, the measured variation in ABA concentrations was not consistently associated with differences in internal sprouting. A subsequent perturbation of internal sprouting by Maleic Hydrazide treatment in the cultivar Hyfive confirmed a lack of correlation. Altogether, this indicates that fructan and ABA levels in the scales and basal plate tissue change independent of internal sprouting and cannot be regarded as predictive markers for sprouting and storability.

The low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol) diet is a beneficial therapeutic approach for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, how the low FODMAP diet works is still not completely understood. These mechanisms encompass not only traditionally known factors such as luminal distension induced by gas and water but also recent evidence on the role of FOMAPs in the modulation of visceral hypersensitivity, increases in intestinal permeability, the induction of microbiota changes, and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as well as metabolomics and alterations in motility. Although most of the supporting evidence is of low quality, recent trials have confirmed its effectiveness, even though the majority of the evidence pertains only to the restriction phase and its effectiveness in relieving abdominal bloating and pain. This review examines potential pathophysiological mechanisms and provides an overview of the existing evidence on the effectiveness of the low FODMAP diet across various IBS subtypes. Key considerations for its use include the challenges and disadvantages associated with its practical implementation, including the need for professional guidance, variations in individual responses, concerns related to microbiota, nutritional deficiencies, the development of constipation, the necessity of excluding an eating disorder before commencing the diet, and the scarcity of long-term data. Despite its recognized efficacy in symptom management, acknowledging these limitations becomes imperative for a nuanced comprehension of the role of a low FODMAP diet in managing IBS. By investigating its potential mechanisms and evidence across IBS subtypes and addressing emerging modulations alongside limitations, this review aims to serve as a valuable resource for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and patients navigating the intricate landscape of IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains, essential for maintaining good health, contain short-chain carbohydrates like fructans, which can contribute to disorders in some individuals. Understanding and managing these FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols) are essential for enhanced dietary guidance and well-being. The primary objective of the study was to establish safe portion sizes for grains and rice within low-FODMAP diets. A comprehensive analysis of fructan levels in diverse commercial cereal products contributes to an understanding of the potential digestive impact of FODMAPs in grains and supporting enhanced dietary guidance for individuals with FODMAP-related disorders. Various grains, like white and brown rice, barley, wheat groats, and buckwheat, highlight the challenges of handling fructans in a low-FODMAP diet. Fructans to heat-induced degradation, as demonstrated in bulgur, emphasize the need to consider cooking methods for managing their intake. Identification of potentially safe grains, like white long-grain rice and arborio rice, is significant, but caution is advised with barley groats and couscous, stressing personalized dietary decisions. Correlation analyses linking color parameters, moisture content, and fructan levels in cooked grains reveal a positive relationship, suggesting water content's potential impact on fructan stability and grain hydration properties. In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the intricate details of FODMAPs in grains, supporting the development of dietary strategies that enhance both health and sensory satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transparent and detailed reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is essential to judge its validity and generalizability. We assessed the reporting quality of RCTs examining the effects of inulin-type fructans supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors, before and after the publication of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) in 2010. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Emcare, AMED, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL from inception to May 15, 2022, including the reference lists of selected RCTs. We screened titles and abstracts and extracted the data independently and in duplicate. We included RCTs that investigated the effects of inulin-type fructans on cardiovascular disease risk factors (e.g., low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose) in adults (18 years or older). The primary outcomes of this study were: the overall reporting quality of RCTs (defined as the total number of items [0 to 36] present from the CONSORT checklist) published before and after CONSORT; and the study characteristics (e.g., sample size, significance of primary outcome) predictive of the CONSORT score. The secondary outcome was the reporting of each specific item of the CONSORT checklist during pre- and post-CONSORT periods. The mean difference in the total number of reported items in studies published before and after CONSORT were compared using a t-test and Poisson regression to explore the factors associated with overall reporting quality of RCTs. We used Fisher's exact test to compare the adherence to each of the 36 items during pre- and post-CONSORT periods. Results: We identified 1,767 citations from our systematic search, of which 55 were eligible. There was a significant increase in the reporting of CONSORT items (mean difference 8.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.24 to 11.71) between studies published before and after publication of CONSORT. The sole variable that was predictive of better reporting quality of RCTs was whether the study was published before or after CONSORT (incidence rate ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.40 to 2.02). Completeness of reporting of RCTs only improved in 15 out of 36 items (41.6%) after the publication of CONSORT. Conclusion: The completeness of reporting in RCTs investigating inulin-type fructans supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk factors remains inadequate after the publication of CONSORT. Greater adherence to CONSORT by authors and enforcement of CONSORT by journals may improve the quality of reporting among RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective / Background. Phytophthora capsici is the causal agent of chili wilt. Among the strategies for its control is the use of resistance inducers. Fructans are molecules with interesting biological properties, including the ability to induce resistance mechanisms in some plants. In this work, the protective effect of four concentrations inulin from dahlia tubers on chili infected with P. capsici was evaluated. Materials and Methods. The concentration that showed the highest protection was chosen to evaluate the induction of defense response through the enzymatic activity of β-1,3 glucanases, peroxidases and the production of total phenolic compounds. Results. Inulin showed a protective effect against infection at concentrations of 100 to 300 μM, as symptoms decreased and seedlings showed improved vegetative development. It was observed that inulin at 200 μM concentration was able to induce an effective defense response associated with increased activity of β-1,3 glucanases and peroxidases through a local and systemic response in seedlings. This response was differentiated between seedlings treated with inulin and seedlings infected with P. capsici. Conclusion. It was concluded that inulin has the ability to protect chili bell pepper from P. capsici by induction of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inulin-type fructans are considered to stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, like Bifidobacterium in the gut and support health. However, both the fructan source and chemical structure may modify these effects. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans consumed either in specific foods or as dietary supplements on abundance of Bifidobacterium in the gut and on health-related outcomes. Three electronic databases and two clinical trial registries were systematically searched until January 2021. Two authors independently selected randomized controlled trials that investigated with a protocol of minimum seven days supplementation the effect of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans on Bifidobacterium abundance in any population. Meta-analyses with random-effects model were conducted on Bifidobacterium abundance and bowel function parameters. We evaluated risk of bias using Cochrane RoB tool. Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans at a dose of 3–20 g/day significantly increased Bifidobacterium abundance in participants with an age range from 0 to 83 years (standardized mean difference: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.08; p < 0.01; 50 studies; 2525 participants). Significant bifidogenic effects were observed in healthy individuals and in populations with health impairments, except gastrointestinal disorders. Significant beneficial effects on bowel function parameters were observed in healthy subjects. Chicory-derived inulin-type fructans may have significant bifidogenic effects and may beneficially influence bowel function in healthy individuals. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020162892. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The searching of alternative products that help reduce sugar consumption is a recurring objective due to the high number of overweight people in the world. The spray drying process of natural strawberry juice (SWJ) was evaluated using Agave angustifolia fructans as an encapsulating agent. Five fructan concentrations and three drying conditions were evaluated. The microcapsules obtained were characterised by anthocyanins content (UVvis), moisture percentage, hygroscopicity, colour, Tg, morphology (light scattering and SEM) and FTIR. Considering a recovery yield above 50%, the inlet/outlet temperatures of 180/90–95 °C and 15% of fructans were the conditions to obtain the powders with a hygroscopicity of 31%, anthocyanin retention of 84% and the highest Tg (54 °C). FTIR spectra and SEM evidenced that fructans can act as a homogeneous encapsulating matrix of SWJ. Therefore A. angustifolia fructans can be an alternative of low‐caloric power for the encapsulation of SWJ through spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present systematic review and meta-analysis summarized data on habitual intake of oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols from 71 studies (n = 138,653 subjects) using random-effects model. In the general population, overall habitual intake of total FODMAPs is 19.86 (95 % CI: 18.12, 21.6) g/d. No differences were observed on habitual intake of individual constituents of designated FODMAPs between healthy and those who are suffering with functional gastrointestinal disease and other GI disorders. Multiple meta-regression adjusted with macronutrient components showed that IBS-SSS score is positively correlated with lactose (R2 = 77.78 %, P = 0.006) and total FODMAPs (R2 = 78.48 %, P = 0.0052), but not other individual constituents of designated FODMAPs e.g. fructans, GOS, and total polyols. Macronutrient components such as fat (in 6 out of 6 models) and carbohydrate (in 5 out of 6 models) were positively associated with IBS-SSS score. Our findings add insight on current knowledge of FODMAPs habitual intake in the general population and showed that individual FODMAPs such as lactose and other macronutrient components (fat and carbohydrate) as a constituent significantly related to symptom severity.

Fructosyltransferases (FTs) are an important group of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of fructans in some plants and in a large number of microorganisms. Several studies have shown that FTs play a key role in regulating the levels of fructan molecules during abiotic stress tolerance of certain plant species. Because of their diverse range of functional characteristics, efforts have increased to improve fructans applications in food quality and in added health benefits of plants. For these reasons, interest on the search for more direct and cost-effective routes to producing fructans have also increased. In this paper, we review recent research on plant FTs and summarize their role in the regulation of fructan biosynthesis and their use in producing fructans at an industrial scale. We also present the challenges and opportunities that FTs will present in the future.

AbstractAnticancer potential and a prebiotic effect of fructan mixtures from Agave salmiana (branched) and chicory inulin (linear) were evaluated to different mass fractions 1/0, 0/1, 0.5/0.5, 0.75/0.25, 0.25/0.75, respectively, in three concentrations: 2, 3.5, and 5 mg/mL. The viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of human colon cell lines, CRL1831 (healthy), HT29 (cancerous grade 1–2), and SW480 (cancerous grade 3–4), were evaluated by absorbance assays. Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis growth was determined by spectrophotometry at 600 nm. The lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production was determined by the HPLC method. Fructan mixtures (inulin/agave, 0.25/0.75) showed a synergic effect on viability, proliferation, and decreased apoptosis in healthy colon cells (CRL1831) at 5 mg/mL. An increase (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 10 % supplementation with commercial chicory fructans (I), commercial Agave tequilana fructans (ATC), experimental A. tequilana fructans (ATE), experimental A. salmiana fructans (AS), rice starch (RS), and a control diet (C) on Wistar rats, both healthy and carcinogen-induced to colorectal cancer. It was hypothesized that agave and chicory fructans have similar effects. The supplements evaluated in both experiments maintained the dry weight and length of rat femurs in both groups without producing significant changes. Only healthy rats supplemented with chicory and both A. tequilana fructans showed higher fecal nitrogen levels. The femur ash content in rats that were carcinogen-induced to develop colorectal cancer was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the content in healthy rats. Minerals in the femurs of both groups of rats were similar. The hypothesis of this work was rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructans found in agave are called agavins, highly branched neo-fructans. They are essential on the yield and quality of Tequila production. The need for agave specimens with higher accumulation of agavins became essential before the growing demand of such products. To get such specimens, understanding agavins metabolism is a quintessential requirement. For this, a more efficient biological model is required. The recently reclassified Agave amica possesses the potential to gather the requirements for becoming such a model. Therefore, this study dealt with the characterization of carbohydrates in the bulbs of A. amica focusing on fructans. Moreover, it tested and described its feasibility as model for the accelerated study of agavins. Infrared analysis unveiled potential content of fructans in the bulbs of A. amica. Furthermore, high performance thin layer chromatography detected fructooligosaccharides. High performance anion exchange chromatography confirmed a polydisperse mixture of branched fructans. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated agavins like structures in the bulbs of A. amica. Moreover, total fructan content and multivariate data analysis through bulb's age demonstrated their correlation. Thus, the presence of agavins, their correlation with phenology, and their technical advantages highlighted the feasibility of this species as a potential new biological model for the study of agavins' metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to find out if biofilms can be made by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from agave plants using agave fructans as sole carbohydrate substrates or if it was necessary to use fructose as a breakdown product of such polymers. This is part of a research project geared to develop industrial lactic acid production from agave fructans, an abundant raw material in Mexico's agave plantations. Present results showed that nine strains of LAB isolated from Agave salmiana and belonging to genus Lacticaseibacillus and Enterococcus produced exopolysaccharides directly from agave fructans to a greater extent than with fructose. The best polysaccharide productions in planktonic cultures were Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains DG2, DG3, DG4 and DG8. Furthermore, all nine LAB strains produced biofilms on polystyrene microplates, much better with agave fructans than with fructose. In most strains, biofilm formation was favored at pH from 6.0 to 6.5, except for strains DG7 and DG9 where pH 5.5 was optimal. Biofilm formation required between 3 and 5 days of incubation in all Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains, whereas Enterococcus faecium required a little less of 3 days. Present results support the straight use of agave fructans to develop LAB biofilms using agave epiphytic bacteria. This finding simplifies upstream processing of agave fructans to be used for future lactic acid fermentation in LAB biofilm reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to unofficial data, every fifth person in Serbia suffers from some form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Compounds classified as FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Monosaccharides and Polyols) are newly found potential triggers of IBS and a number of associated gastrointestinal disorders. Cereals, predominantly in their wholegrain form, represent the key contributors to the high contents of FODMAPs in wholegrain (high-fiber) bakery products. The current work was structured in a way to systematically evaluate the consumer's knowledge and preferences toward wholegrain and low-FODMAP bakery products. The questionnaire was filled out by 725 respondents, aged from 18 to 86 years. They were informed about the aim of the research and management of anonymous data. The present study is the first detailed survey in this region of Europe, aiming to improve the familiarity with and attitude toward FODMAPs and a low-FODMAP diet by analyzing the different dietary habits regarding wholegrain-cereal-based products among consumers of various ages, genders, places of residence, and education. The results suggest that the respondents are, to some degree, aware of the health benefits of consuming foods with high fiber content while indicating a low level of knowledge about FODMAP compounds and connected topics. Education about contemporary scientific findings and the potentially harmful effects of consuming FODMAP compounds for a population with gastrointestinal disorders and diseases will be imperative in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fructans serve as the primary form of storage carbohydrate in cool-season grasses, but little is known about potential differences in ruminal fermentation of fructans between cattle and sheep. An ex vivo study was conducted to evaluate species differences in fructan catabolism. Buffered media containing ground orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) substrate was inoculated with uncultivated rumen microbiota obtained from cattle and sheep (n = 4 species−1). Fructan profiles were monitored over the incubation period (8 h; 39 °C) using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled to pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). In both species, disappearance of long-chain fructans (degree of polymerization [DP] > 8) was evident by 2 h of incubation (p < 0.01), whereas short-chain fructans (DP 4–8) increased from 0 to 2 h prior to subsequent degradation (p < 0.01). However, the overall rate of long-chain fructan catabolism was greater in bovine versus ovine fermentations, particularly between 2 and 4 h (p < 0.01). Additionally, rapid utilization of short-chain fructans occurred from 2 to 4 h in bovine fermentations, but was delayed in ovine fermentations, with substantial degradation occurring only after 4 h of incubation (p < 0.01). These results indicate that rumen microbiota of cattle may have a greater capacity for fructan degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of 20% high degree polymerized agave fructans (HDPAF) on the induction of the defense system in avocado fruits was investigated by transcriptomic analysis at 1, 24 and 72 h after treatment, and the effect of HDPAF on respiration rate and ethylene production was also analyzed. Transcriptomic profiling revealed 5425 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 55 of which were involved in the pathways related to plant defense response to pathogens. Key genes were associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, mitogen-activated protein signaling, plant hormone signaling, calcium ion signal decoding, and pathogenesis-related proteins. Dysregulated genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis were also identified, and the reduction in ethylene production by HDPAF was corroborated by gas chromatography, where three days of delayed peak production was observed compared to that in water-treated fruits. These results help to understand the mechanism of induction of the avocado defense system by applying HDPAF and support the application of HDPAF as an efficient postharvest treatment to extend the shelf life of the fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review considers the chemical structure specifics and distribution in plants for fructose-containing carbohydrates (fructans). Various biological activities were observed in fructans and associated with their physicochemical features. Fructans affect many physiological and biochemical processes in the human body, improving health and reducing the risk of various disorders. Prebiotic activity is the most important physiological function of fructans. Fructans improve the microflora composition in the colon and intestinal mucosa by increasing the content of useful bacteria and decreasing the content of potentially harmful microorganisms, stimulate the physiological functions of the microflora, and provide for a better state of the intestine and a better health status. By modifying the intestinal microbiota and utilizing certain additional mechanisms, fructans can favorably affect the immune function, decrease the risk of various inflammatory processes, and to reduce the likelihood of tumorigenesis due to exposure to carcinogens. Fructans improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism by reducing the blood levels of glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and increasing the blood content of high-density lipoprotein (HLD). Fructans are low in calories, and their use in foods reduces the risk of obesity. Fructans facilitate higher calcium absorption and increase the bone density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Fructants protect the body from oxidative stress, intestinal infections, and parasitic invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has become clear that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in food allergies. The objective of this study was to assess the food allergy-preventive effects of combined intake of a short fructan (1-kestose [Kes]) and a long fructan (inulin ([Inu]) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model. Results: Oral administration of fructans lowered the allergenic symptom score and alleviated the decreases in rectal temperature and total IgA levels and increases in OVA-specific IgE and IgA levels induced by high-dose OVA challenge, and in particular, combined intake of Kes and Inu significantly suppressed the changes in all these parameters. The expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-4, which was increased in the allergy model group, was significantly suppressed by fructan administration, and the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was significantly increased upon Kes administration. 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the gut microbiota and beta diversity analysis revealed that fructan administration may induce gut microbiota resistance to food allergy sensitization, rather than returning the gut microbiota to a non-sensitized state. The relative abundances of the genera Parabacteroides B 862,066 and Alloprevotella, which were significantly reduced by food allergy sensitization, were restored by fructan administration. In Parabacteroides, the relative abundances of Parabacteroides distasonis, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, and their fructan-degrading glycoside hydrolase family 32 gene copy numbers were increased upon Kes or Inu administration. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetate and propionate) and lactate were increased by fructan administration, especially significantly in the Kes + Inu, Kes, and Inu-fed (Inu, Kes + Inu) groups. Conclusion: Combined intake of Kes and Inu suppressed allergy scores more effectively than single intake, suggesting that Kes and Inu have different allergy-preventive mechanisms. This indicates that the combined intake of these short and long fructans may have an allergy-preventive benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of storage carbohydrates in plant carbon economy is currently disputed as possibly passive accumulation when other resources are limiting growth, or part of a conservative growth strategy as insurance for regrowth and stress response. One indication may be the fate of carbohydrates in senescing rhizomes, as either translocated to be retained in the live and growing end of the rhizome or kept within the senescing rhizome end and lost into the soil for it to decompose.To examine carbohydrate storage in senescing rhizomes, eight rhizomatous species were grown in a split‐pot design with one compartment containing the forward‐growing and younger end of the rhizome and another containing the older end. Both compartments were either watered (control) or the older one was left un‐watered (drought treatment) to trigger rhizome senescence and potential carbohydrate translocation. Plant growth, root traits, and non‐structural carbohydrate types and concentrations were assessed in four sequential harvests.Drought treatment plants had higher rhizome dry matter content. Younger rhizome parts produced higher new rhizome and above‐ground biomass than older rhizome parts. Carbohydrate concentrations in rhizomes remained consistent for both treatments, younger and older rhizome parts, and all harvests, probably because of the translocation of water from the watered to the dry compartment to prevent senescence and rhizome loss.Contrary to expectations, the experimental treatment did not trigger rhizome senescence: plants responded by conserving the rhizome and resources within, rather than by losing their older parts. The invariant composition and concentration of carbohydrates within the rhizome suggest that rhizomes are essential plant organs and the storage carbohydrates they contain are necessary for regrowth after stress. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of chemical modification of fractions of native agave fructans (NAF), high performance (HPAF), and a high degree of polymerization (HDPAF) by lauroylation, acetylation, and succinylation reactions on their prebiotic activity, antibacterial properties were evaluated and survival of L. paracasei in a simulated gastrointestinal system. The characterization of the reactions was confirmed by NMR and FTIR. The lauroylated and succinylated fructan fractions showed higher antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus than the unmodified ones. Analyses with L. paracasei showed that the acetylated fructan fractions had a greater prebiotic effect, and simulated gastrointestinal tests demonstrated that the acetylated and succinylated fractions favored the survival of L. paracasei during the gastrointestinal phase. The effect of modifying the agave fructans fractions on the evaluated properties depended on the structure, size, and polarity of each incorporated functional group, as well as the degree of polymerization and substitution of each fraction. These results show that the chemical modification of the fructan fractions analyzed improves their functional properties, offering an alternative in the food and pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and quality attributes were quantified in Cichorium intybus L. and Cichorium endivia L. in response to the nitrate supply. Chicory was grown in Italy, in a cold greenhouse from the 11 of February 2020, in a pot with commercial soil and sand with and without 12 mM of Ca(NO3)2. Seventy-six days after sowing, the growth variables, contents of leaf and root carbohydrates (glucose, fructose sucrose starch and fructans), carbon, nitrate sulphate and phosphate were measured. Fertilization significantly increased the yield and specific leaf dry weight (SLDW) of the C. endivia. The shoot/root ratio was increased in C. intybus with high N; this also increased the carbohydrate content in leaves and roots of C. endivia compared to the value measured in C. intybus. The interaction between fertilization and genotype significantly affected fructans and nitrate accumulation in taproots. Fertilization decreased the sulphate and phosphate contents in the leaves and roots of both chicory species. The yield and quality of young chicory plants can be modulated by species selection and nitrate fertilization. The genotype and nitrogen supply interact in modulating the yield and the inulin and nitrate accumulation in the taproot, thereby affecting its nutritional value and representing a powerful tool to cultivate this new produce for healthy human nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodegradable active films have the potential to increase the shelf life and safety of food products. In this study, the properties of Eremurus spectabilis (Cerish) root fructans (ESRF) film and its combination with Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) extract (RCLE) at different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% w/w) were investigated. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis determined the fingerprint region of fructans at 950–1150 cm−1 in all spectrograms. RCLE increased the interactions between the hydroxyl groups and the formation of intermolecular bonds in composite films. Elongation‐at‐break (EAB) and tensile strength (TS) did not change significantly. However, RCLE increased Young's modulus (YM) (p ˂.05), thermal stability, and crystallinity of composite films. RCLE also increased the film thickness and decreased the water content, solubility, and swelling degree significantly. RCLE improved the reducing ability and free radical‐scavenging activity of composite films. Present results indicated that the ESRF/RCLE films were the protective barriers to the permeability of water vapor. The incorporation of RCLE increased the surface hydrophobicity and caused the composite film microstructure to become uniform and more compact. Overall, the Sumac extract at the specific concentration of 3% can be used to improve the Cerish fructans film properties and extend the product's shelf life in active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prebiotic effects have been attributed to agave fructans through bacterial and yeast fermentations, but there are few reports on their use as raw materials of a carbon source. Kefir milk is a fermented drink with lactic acid bacteria and yeast that coexist in a symbiotic association. During fermentation, these microorganisms mainly consume lactose and produce a polymeric matrix called kefiran, which is an exopolysaccharide composed mainly of water-soluble glucogalactan, suitable for the development of bio-degradable films. Using the biomass of microorganisms and proteins together can be a sustainable and innovative source of biopolymers. In this investigation, the effects of lactose-free milk as a culture medium and the addition of other carbon sources (dextrose, fructose, galactose, lactose, inulin and fructans) in concentrations of 2, 4 and 6% w/w, coupled with initial parameters such as temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), % of starter inoculum (2, 5 and 10% w/w) was evaluated. The method of response surface analysis was performed to determine the optimum biomass production conditions at the start of the experiment. The response surface method showed that a 2% inoculum and a temperature of 25 °C were the best parameters for fermentation. The addition of 6% w/w agave fructans in the culture medium favored the growth of biomass (75.94%) with respect to the lactose-free culture medium. An increase in fat (3.76%), ash (5.57%) and protein (7.12%) content was observed when adding agave fructans. There was an important change in the diversity of microorganisms with an absence of lactose. These compounds have the potential to be used as a carbon source in a medium culture to increase kefir granule biomass. There was an important change in the diversity of microorganisms with an absence of lactose, where the applied image digital analysis led to the identification of the morphological changes in the kefir granules through modification of the profile of such microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although Levan-type fructooligosaccharides (L-FOS) have been shown to exhibit prebiotic properties, no efficient methods for their large-scale production have been proposed. One alternative relies on the simultaneous levan synthesis from sucrose, followed by endolevanase hydrolysis. For this purpose, several options have been described, particularly through the synthesis of the corresponding enzymes in recombinant Escherichia coli. Major drawbacks still consist in the requirement of GRAS microorganisms for enzyme production, but mainly, the elimination of glucose and fructose, the reaction by-products. Results The expression of a fusion enzyme between Bacillus licheniformis endolevanase (LevB1) and B. subtilis levansucrase (SacB) in Pichia pastoris cultures, coupled with the simultaneous synthesis of L-FOS from sucrose and the elimination of the residual monosaccharides, in a single one-pot process was developed. The proof of concept at 250 mL flask-level, resulted in 8.62 g of monosaccharide-free L-FOS and 12.83 gDCW of biomass, after 3 successive sucrose additions (30 g in total), that is a 28.7% yield (w L-FOS/w sucrose) over a period of 288 h. At a 1.5 L bioreactor-level, growth considerably increased and, after 59 h and two sucrose additions, 72.9 g of monosaccharide-free L-FOS and 22.77 gDCW of biomass were obtained from a total of 160 g of sucrose fed, corresponding to a 45.5% yield (w L-FOS/w sucrose), 1.6 higher than the flask system. The L-FOS obtained at flask-level had a DP lower than 20 fructose units, while at bioreactor-level smaller oligosaccharides were obtained, with a DP lower than 10, as a consequence of the lower endolevanase activity in the flask-level. Conclusion We demonstrate here in a novel system, that P. pastoris cultures can simultaneously be used as comprehensive system to produce the enzyme and the enzymatic L-FOS synthesis with growth sustained by sucrose by-products. This system may be now the center of an optimization strategy for an efficient production of glucose and fructose free L-FOS, to make them available for their application as prebiotics. Besides, P. pastoris biomass also constitutes an interesting source of unicellular protein.

The physico-mechanical properties of fructan fractions in different agave species without Tequila Denomination of Origin (DOT) need to be studied to identify and expand industrial applications. The rheological and physicochemical characterization of three fractions of Agave tequilana cv. cenizo fructans without DOT, with different degree of polymerization (DP) was carried out to propose their use as an additive in the food industry. Fractions were obtained by apparent DP enrichment (DPa) by stepwise ultradiafiltration with 10, 5 and 1 kilodalton (kDa) membranes and classified on the basis of the enriched fraction evidenced by HPLC profiling with amperometric detector. The ultradiafiltrate of the membrane with 10 kDa, called High Degree of Polymerization (HDP), showed enrichment of fructans with high DPa = 30, the one with 5 kDa called Intermediate Degree of Polymerization (IDP), presents enrichment in DPa between 10 to 30, these fractions dried by spray, showed a modal particle size distribution (D [4,3] < 20 µm). In the ultradiafiltrate of the 1 kDa membrane, called Low Polymerization Grade (LDP), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and fructans with maximum DPa of 15 were enriched; this sample was concentrated to 72 °Brix. The glass transition (Tg) showed a DPa-dependent increase (LDP = 152.17 °C, IDP = 216.12 °C and HDP = 227.5 °C). Viscosity was dependent on the degree of polymerization, exhibiting thermo-mechanically stable flow behavior. The reconstituted powders exhibited Newtonian and flow-stable behavior in a concentration range of 2-50 %, temperature of 5-45 °C and pH of 2-9. The macro and micro structural properties identified in the respective fractions of agave fructans, diversify possible applications with potential interest as encapsulating material, stabilizer and prebiotic sweetener, among others that agave fructans have in the food and nutraceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fructans in angiosperms play essential roles in physiological functions and environmental adaptations. As a major source of industrial fructans (especially inulin‐type), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a model species for studying fructan biosynthesis. However, the genes underlying this process and their evolutionary history in angiosperms remain elusive.We combined multiple sequencing technologies to assemble and annotate the chicory genome and scan its (epi)genomic features, such as genomic components, DNA methylation, and three‐dimensional (3D) structure. We also performed a comparative genomics analysis to uncover the associations between key traits and gene families.We achieved a nearly complete chicory genome assembly and found that continuous bursts of a few highly active retrotransposon families largely shaped the (epi)genomic characteristics. The highly methylated genome with its unique 3D structure potentially influences critical biological processes. Our comprehensive comparative genomics analysis deciphered the genetic basis for the rich sesquiterpene content in chicory and indicated that the fructan‐accumulating trait resulted from convergent evolution in angiosperms due to shifts in critical sites of fructan‐active enzymes.The highly characterized chicory genome provides insight into Asteraceae evolution and fructan biosynthesis in angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It has a wide range of applications mainly in the treatment and prevention of inflammations in the respiratory system. The current study aimed to perform a phytochemical characterization of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) roots and their extracts (water, 40%, 50%, 60% ethanol, and 60% glycerol). Phytochemical characterization was carried out by gravimetric, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic methods. Echinacea roots were characterized by a low lipid (0.8%) content. In contrast, carbohydrates (45%) and proteins (20%) occupied a large part of the dry matter. Amongst the extracts, the highest yield was obtained using water as a solvent (53%). Water extract was rich in protein and carbohydrates as fructans (inulin) were the most abundant carbohydrate constituent. The most exhaustive recovery of the phenolic components was conducted by extraction with 40% ethanol and 60% glycerol. It was found that water is the most suitable extractant for obtaining a polysaccharide-containing complex (PSC) (8.87%). PSC was composed mainly of fructans (inulin) and proteins with different molecular weight distributions. The yield of PSC decreased with an increasing ethanol concentration (40% > 50% > 60%) but the lowest yield was obtained from 60% glycerol extract. The obtained results showed that Echinacea roots contained a large amount of biologically active substances—phenolic components and polysaccharides and that glycerol was equally efficient to ethanol in extracting caffeic acid derivatives from purple coneflower roots. The data can be used for the preparation of extracts having different compositions and thus easily be incorporated into commercial products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inulin-type fructans (ITFs) have been shown to possess various biological activities. However, studies on their safety and side effects are limited. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of burdock ITFs on the physiological indices of healthy mice and their filial generation when fed for six months. Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups; a normal control (NC) and an ITFs group. The parental generations were kept in one cage with free access to a normal diet and double-distilled water (P-NC group) or burdock ITFs drinking water (P-ITFs group, 2% w/v). The filial generations (F-NC group and F-ITFs group) were kept separately and were fed as their parental generation. Behavior, organ/body weight, serum indices, histopathology, time of production, and number of pup births were observed. There were no significant adverse effects on these indices. Functional indices of the spleen, lung, heart, and pancreas of the ITFs groups were higher than those of the NC groups, respectively. Interestingly, the serum glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), uric acid (UA) and creatine kinase (CK) levels of the ITFs groups were lower than those of the NC groups. Meanwhile, the pregnancy number and pup birth number of the P-ITFs group were more than those of P-NC group. Therefore, long-term consumption of burdock ITFs has no obvious adverse effects on the health of parental mice and their offspring, but may contribute to reproductive capacity, fatigue reduction, and risk reduction of renal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]