Inulin and oligofructose are naturally occurring resistant carbohydrates that have a variety of uses as functional food ingredients. In addition to their role as prebiotics that selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, these inulin-type fructans act as dietary fiber in the digestive system and have applications as a sugar substitute and fat replacer.
Written by one of the leading researchers in the field, Inulin-Type Fructans: Functional Food Ingredients describes inulin-type fructans and explains how they can be analyzed, quantified, and used in a wide variety of food products. The text evaluates the nutritional properties of inulin-type fructans, focusing on their behavior in the upper gastrointestinal tract that have led to their classification as dietary fiber and low calorie carbohydrates. Following a review of the selective and beneficial modification of the intestinal microflora that led to the discovery of prebiotics, the book concentrates on the relationship of inulin and oligofructose to lipid metabolism, carcinogenesis, mineral absorption, and the immune system. The text concludes with a general discussion of the classification of inulin-type fructans as functional food ingredients.
Each chapter begins with background information on the physiology and biochemistry of the particular function covered as well as on the methodology used to assess these functions, and concludes with a summary of the results and perspectives on future development. The combination of authoritative research data and insightful perspectives provides a comprehensive overview of this growing field.
Nutrition in the 20th Century: From Prevention to Deficiencies to Reduction of Risk Due to Excessive Consumption of Nutrients
Nutrition at the Turn of the 20th Century: The new Challenges
The Concept of Optimum Nutrition
Functional Food: A Nutrient Concept
Functional Food: A Consensus of the European Scientific Community
Strategy for the Development of Functional Food
Type A and Type B Claims
The Communication Challenge
Communication of the Functional Effects of a Prebiotic: An Example
Perspectives in Functional Food Development and the Case of the Prebiotics
THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: A MAJOR TARGET FOR FUNCTIONAL FOODS
The Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal System
The Digestive Functions
The Motility
The Endocrinology: Peptide Hormones
The Defense Mechanisms
INULIN: A FRUCTAN
Fructans
Inulin
Chicory Inulin
THE DIGESTIVE FUNCTIONS: INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AS NON-DIGESTIBLE OLIGOSACCHARIDES
Digestion of Carbohydrates in the Gastrointestinal Tract
The Absorption of Hexoses in the Small Intestine
Inulin-Type Fructans as Non-Digestible Ologosaccharides (NDOS)
Inulin-Type Fructans as Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides: Discussion and Conclusion
THE DIGESTIVE FUNCTIONS: INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AS FERMENTABLE CARBOHYDRATES
The Colon as a Fermenter
The Anaerobic Fermentation of Proteins
The Anaerobic Fermentation of Carbohydrates
The Anaerobic Fermentation of Inulin-Type Fructans
THE DIGESTIVE FUNCTIONS: INULIN AND OLIGOFRUCTOSE AS DIETARY FIBER
Dietary Fiber: A Concept in Human Nutrition
Inulin and Oligofructose as Dietary Fiber
INULIN AND OLIGOFRUCTOSE AS LOW CALORIE CARBOHYDRATES
Methodologies to Assess the Energy Value of Inulin-Type Fructans
Assessment of the Energy Value of Inulin and Oligofructose: Results and Discussion
Inulin and Oligofructose as Low Calorie Carbohydrates: Conclusions
INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AND THE GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTIONS: CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AND THE MODULATION OF THE INTESTINAL MICROFLORA: THE PREBIOTIC EFFECTS
Prebiotics: Definition and Requirements for Scientific Substantiation
Methodologies to Study the Composition of the Gut Microflora
Inulin-Type Fructans Classify as Prebiotic: The Scientific Substantiation
Inulin-Type Fructans as Prebiotics: Discussion & Perspectives
INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AND THE INTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF MINERALS
The Physiology of Calcium
The Physiology of Magnesium
The Methodologies to Study Mineral Absorption and Bone Health
Inulin-Type Fructans and the Gastrointestinal Absorption of Other Minerals
Inulin-Type Fructans Mineral Absorption and Bone Health: Discussion, Perspectives and Conclusions
INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AND THE HOMEOSTASIS OF LIPIDS
Biochemistry of Lipid Metabolism
Inulin-Type Fructans and Lipid Homeostasis
Inulin-Type Fructans and Lipid Homeostasis: Discussion, Conclusion and Perspectives
INULIN-TYPE FRUCTANS AND THE DEFENSE FUNCTIONS OF THE BODY
Introduction: The Defense Functions of the Body
The Role of the Gastrointestinal System in Body’s Defense
Nutrition and the Gastrointestinal Defense Functions
Inulin-Type Fructans and the Gastrointestinal Defense Functions
Inulin-Type Fructans and the Systemic Defense Functions
Inulin-Type Fructans and the Defense Functions: Overview, Discussion and Perspectives
GENERAL DISCUSSION, PERSPECTIVES, AND CONCLUSIONS
General Discussion
Conclusions and Perspectives
Biography
Roberfroid\, Marcel
“A worthwhile but of course very subject-specialized book, which should appeal to readers from a variety of disciplines including health upkeep, dieting, carbohydrate technology, food chemistry, and plant materials”
— Carbohydrate Polymers, 63 (2006) 561-570