Inulin obtained from Jerusalem artichoke using microwave-assisted extraction and its metabolic influence

Abstract

Introduction. Inulin has high potential as a supplement for food, pharmaceutical and medical use and raised an increased interest in obtaining high-quality products. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physiological impact of the administration of inulin obtained by microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG). Materials and methods. Helianthus tuberosus was used as a raw material from commercial sources. The inulin was extracted using MHG, followed by separation. The extraction method has been optimized by surface response methodology (SRM). The obtained inulin was administered to laboratory animals. The influence of the administration of standard inulin (INS), inulin obtained by MHG (INE) and inulin obtained by MHG in combination with quercetin (INE+Q) was evaluated, for 12 days, on the variation of weight and blood parameters such as blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. Results. Inulin was obtained at optimal values (74.74 °C and 15.55 min); the yield was 72.98%. The statistical analysis revealed that on the first day of treatment there are statistically significant differences only between the groups treated with INS and INE. On the third day of treatment, significant differences occur only when comparing the weights recorded in the batches treated with INS and INE+Q. In the following days of treatment (5th, 7th, and 9th) there were statistically significant differences only between the groups treated with INS and INE. Even though there are significant differences between the two groups, all data fall within the normal range. On the 12th day of treatment, the results obtained were considered statistically insignificant. Conclusions. The use of inulin obtained by innovative MHG proved to have positive effects on laboratory animals.

Keywords

• inulin
• microwave
• extraction
• modelling
• metabolism