Fructan

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Structure formula of Inulins, a linear fructan
Structure formula of Inulins, a linear fructan

A fructan is a polymer of fructose molecules. They occur in foods such as:

In animal fodder, fructans also appear in grass, with dietary implications for horses and other equidae.

There are 3 types of fructans:

  1. Inulin - linear fructans generally linked by β(2→1) glycosidic bonds
  2. Levan - linear fructans generally linked by β(2→6) glycosidic bonds
  3. Graminan - branched fructans linked by both β(2→1) and β(2→6) glycosidic bonds

Contents

[edit] Fructan content of various foods

Artichoke, Jerusalem: 16.0-20.0%[1]

Artichoke, Globe: 2.0-6.8%[1]

Asparagus: 1.4-4.1%[1]

Barley kernels (very young): 22%[2]

Cheese spread: 4.5%[3]

Chocolate: 9.4%[3]

Onion: 1.1-10.1%[1]

Rye bran: 7%[4]

Rye grain: 4.6-6.6%[4]

Wheat flour: 1-4%[2]

Pasta: 1-4%[1]

White bread: 0.7-2.8%[1]

[edit] Functions

Plants storing their food as fructans are able to thrive at low temperatures since fructans confer tolerance to freezing. They bind to membranes, thereby helping to keep cells intact.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f SUSAN J. SHEPHERD, M Nut Diet, APD*; PETER R. GIBSON, MD, MB, FRACP, "Fructose Malabsorption and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Guidelines for Effective Dietary Management," J Am Diet Assoc 2006:106:1631-1639.[1]
  2. ^ a b Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Joanne L. Slavin, PhD, RD, "Mechanisms for the Impact of Whole Grain Foods on Cancer Risk," Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 19, No. 90003, 300S-307S (2000)[2]
  3. ^ a b Leon Prosky and Hubert Hoebregs, "Methods to Determine Food Inulin and Oligofructose," Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1418S-1423S.[3]
  4. ^ a b Karppinen, Sirpa. Dietary fibre components of rye bran and their fermentation in vitro. Espoo 2003. VTT Publications 500. 96 p. + app. 52 p.[4]

[edit] General references

  • Sugar - Chemical, Biological and Nutritional Aspects of Sucrose. John Yudkin, Jack Edelman and Leslie Hough (1971, 1973). The Butterworth Group. ISBN 0-408-70172-2

[edit] External links

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