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.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Federal University of Paraná CP 19046 CEP 81 531 980 Curitiba PR Brazil

Department of Microbiology and Technology Dairy Research Institute Ltd Ke Dvoru 12a 160 00 Prague Czech Republic

Pharmaceutical Sciences Post Graduate Program Department of Pharmacy State University of Maringá Avenida Colombo 5790 CEP 87 020 900 Maringá PR Brazil

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org