Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean environment

Long-chain length (DP) inulin-type fructans show pronounced
beneficial effects to colon microbiota. In the past, cardoon roots
for inulin production to fortify spaghetti gave very good results,
but their harvest requires high costs. The aim of the work was to
evaluate different types of inulin, extracted from cardoon roots
and buds, topinambur tubers and chicory roots local populations
in order to identify crops more suitable for high DP inulin production
in Mediterranean environment. The inulin amount resulted in
115 (chicory), 390 (cardoon) and 550 g kg1 of d.m. (topinambur).
Both in cardoon roots and in topinambur tubers the DP was very
high. With the aim to produce a functional food, substituting inulin
in staple food tubers of topinambur could be a good alternative
to cardoon roots, due to the biological cycle of the plant
(annual vs poliennal), the lowest costs of harvest and the good
amounts of high DP inulin.