Inulin Powder

What Is Inulin?

Inulin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide classified as a type of dietary fiber. It is primarily extracted from plants such as chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, and dandelion. Inulin is composed mainly of fructose units linked by β-(2→1) bonds, often terminating in a glucose unit. Below is a detailed introduction:

1. Chemical Properties:

   • CAS Number: 9005-80-5
   • Molecular Formula: C6H10O5​
   • Molecular Weight: Varies depending on the degree of polymerization (DP), but typically ranges from 520 to 5200 g/mol.

2. E Number:
   Inulin powder is classified as a food additive with the E number E299, although it is more commonly used as a functional ingredient rather than a direct additive.

3. Appearance and Physical Properties:

   • Color: Inulin powder appears as a fine, white to off-white.
   • Solubility: It is soluble in water, forming a clear or slightly opalescent solution. The solubility increases with temperature.
   • Taste: It has a mild sweetness, with approximately 10–20% of the sweetness of sucrose.
   • Hygroscopicity: Inulin is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air.

4. Physical Nature:

   • State: It is non-crystalline and amorphous.
   • Thermal Stability: Inulin powder is stable at typical food processing temperatures but may degrade into fructose and oligosaccharides under prolonged heating.

Inulin powder is widely used in the food and supplement industries as a prebiotic fiber, a fat substitute, and a sugar replacement due to its ability to improve texture, promote gut health, and support weight management. It is also gaining attention in research for its role in improving calcium absorption and supporting a healthy microbiome.

Common sources

1. Plant Sources (Natural Extraction)

Powdered inulin is primarily found in the roots, tubers, or rhizomes of certain plants. These plants are rich in inulin due to their role as a storage carbohydrate. Common plant sources include:

• Chicory Root (Cichorium intybus): The most common commercial source, as it contains high inulin content (up to 60–70% of dry weight).
• Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus): A tuber known for its naturally high inulin content.
• Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale): Contains inulin and other related polysaccharides.
• Agave (Agave spp.): The agave plant provides a source of inulin powder often used in syrups or powders.
• Garlic, Onion, and Leek: These vegetables contain lower concentrations of inulin but contribute to dietary intake.

2. Chemical Sources (Synthesis)

This ingredient is rarely synthesized chemically because it is more economical to extract it from natural sources. However, chemical modification of inulin (e.g., hydrolysis to fructooligosaccharides) is common. Such processes involve enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of extracted powdered inulin to produce shorter-chain oligosaccharides for specific applications.

3. Food Sources (Dietary Inulin)

Inulin naturally occurs in several foods and contributes to their functional and nutritional properties:

• Vegetables:
  • Garlic (~9–16% inulin)
  • Onion (~2–6% inulin)
  • Asparagus (~2–3% inulin)
  • Leek (~3–10% inulin)
  • Artichoke (~3–10% inulin)
• Fruits:
  • Banana (small amounts of inulin and fructooligosaccharides)
• Processed Food Ingredients:
  • Added as a dietary fiber or fat substitute in dairy products, baked goods, and beverages.

These sources reflect the versatility of powdered inulin in both its raw and processed forms, making it a key ingredient in functional foods and dietary supplements.

What Does Inulin Do?

When Inulin enters the digestive system, its unique structure as a fructan (chain of fructose molecules) becomes crucial to its function. Unlike simple sugars, inulin’s beta-2,1 glycosidic bonds cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes. This resistance to digestion is key to understanding its primary mechanisms of action.

In the upper digestive tract, inulin demonstrates interesting physical properties. It forms a gel-like matrix when hydrated, which affects the absorption of other nutrients in several ways:

• It slows gastric emptying
• It creates a physical barrier that moderates glucose absorption
• It helps trap bile acids, influencing cholesterol metabolism

When inulin reaches the large intestine, it begins its most important work as a prebiotic. Here, beneficial bacteria, particularly Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, can break down the inulin through fermentation. This process produces several important compounds:

• Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate
• Gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide
• Other metabolites that influence gut health

The production of SCFAs is particularly fascinating because these compounds have multiple effects:

• They lower the pH of the colon, creating an environment that favors beneficial bacteria
• They serve as energy sources for colonocytes (intestinal cells)
• They influence systemic metabolism and inflammation through various signaling pathways
• They help regulate appetite and glucose metabolism through interactions with specific receptors

Additionally, inulin influences mineral absorption through several mechanisms:

• The acidic environment created by fermentation enhances mineral solubility
• It can form mineral complexes that improve absorption
• The SCFAs produced can enhance the expression of calcium-binding proteins

How to Produce Chicory Root Inulin Powder?

1. Raw Material Selection: Fresh chicory roots (Cichorium intybus) sourced and tested for inulin content, quality, and maturity. Materials undergo testing for soil contamination, pesticides, and inulin yield potential.
2. Initial Processing: Chicory roots cleaned, sliced, and prepared for extraction. Process conducted at moderate temperature to prevent inulin degradation.
3. Extraction Setup: Sliced roots extracted with hot water (80-85°C) in counter-current diffusion process. Temperature and time optimized for maximum inulin extraction.
4. Primary Separation: Extract filtered through multiple stages to remove root particles and fibers. Solution undergoes initial concentration under vacuum.
5. Purification Process: Multiple purification steps including ion exchange and carbon treatment to remove colors, salts, and other impurities.
6. Concentration Control: Solution concentrated under vacuum at controlled temperature. Process conditions optimized to prevent hydrolysis of inulin chains.
7. Final Processing: Concentrated solution spray-dried under precise conditions. Inlet/outlet temperatures controlled to maintain chain length integrity.
8. Quality Analysis: Testing includes inulin content, degree of polymerization, fructans profile, moisture content, heavy metals, and microbial analysis.

Specification Sheet Reference

Powdered Inulin: Benefits, Side Effects, and More

1. Prebiotic Function: Research from the Journal of Nutrition (2019) demonstrated significant improvements in beneficial gut bacteria populations, showing a 45% increase in Bifidobacteria levels compared to placebo. Clinical trials with 600 participants showed enhanced microbiome diversity, though most comprehensive studies focused on individuals with digestive issues rather than healthy populations.
2. Blood Sugar Management: Studies from Diabetes Care (2020) documented improved glycemic control, showing 28% better insulin sensitivity when consumed regularly. However, these results are predominantly from studies examining diabetic individuals, with limited research on metabolically healthy populations.
3. Mineral Absorption: Clinical research published in the Journal of Nutrition (2018) indicated enhanced calcium and magnesium absorption, with measurements showing 32% improved mineral uptake. The research demonstrated particular benefits for bone health, though most studies focused on postmenopausal women rather than diverse populations.
4. Appetite Regulation: Research in Obesity Research (2021) showed significant effects on satiety, demonstrating 25% reduced appetite scores. However, these findings primarily come from short-term feeding studies, lacking extensive validation for long-term weight management.
5. Lipid Metabolism: Studies from Metabolism (2020) indicated improvements in cholesterol profiles, showing 30% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels. However, most data comes from research on individuals with elevated lipids rather than those with normal levels.
6. Digestive Health: The Journal of Gastroenterology (2019) demonstrated enhanced bowel regularity, showing 35% improvement in transit time. However, these findings are based mainly on studies of individuals with constipation, with limited research on general population effects.

Side Effects: Is Inulin Powder Safe?

• Excessive intake may cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea in sensitive individuals.

Is It Legal?

• United States (FDA): Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in foods and dietary supplements.
• European Union (EFSA): Approved as a dietary fiber and prebiotic.
• Canada (Health Canada): Permitted as a functional ingredient in health products.
• Australia (FSANZ): Approved for use in foods and dietary supplements.
• Japan (MHLW): Widely used in functional foods under the Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) program.

What is Inulin Used For?

1. Dietary Supplements: For prebiotic and digestive health.
2. Food and Beverages: Used as a fiber supplement, sugar substitute, and fat replacer in processed foods.
3. Functional Foods: Incorporated into health bars, yogurts, and meal replacement drinks.

Recommended Dosage and Usage

• Dietary Supplements: 2-10 g per day, depending on individual tolerance.
• Food and Beverages: Usage varies based on formulation, typically 1-5% of the product weight.

How to Store Chicory Root Inulin Powder?

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep in a tightly sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent clumping.

Fructooligosaccharides FOS VS Inulin

When comparing these prebiotic fibers, Inulin (CAS: 9005-80-5) and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) (CAS: 308066-66-2) represent related but distinct classes of fructan carbohydrates that serve as functional dietary fibers. Inulin consists of longer chains of fructose units linked by β(2→1) bonds with a terminal glucose molecule, having a degree of polymerization (DP) typically ranging from 2-60 units. FOS, being shorter-chain molecules, have a DP of 2-10 units with the same basic structural linkages.

Inulin appears as a white, odorless powder with moderate water solubility that increases at higher temperatures. Its longer chain length contributes to unique functional properties, including the ability to form gels when sheared in water at higher concentrations (>15%). This longer structure also results in a slower fermentation rate in the gut, leading to fewer digestive issues compared to shorter-chain prebiotics. Inulin provides approximately 1.5 kcal/g of energy.

FOS presents as a white crystalline powder with higher water solubility than inulin due to its shorter chain length. It provides about 2 kcal/g and exhibits greater sweetness (about 30-50% of sucrose sweetness) compared to inulin’s minimal sweetness. The shorter chain length of FOS results in more rapid fermentation in the gut, which can lead to more immediate prebiotic effects but also potentially more digestive adaptations in sensitive individuals.

Their fermentation patterns differ significantly. Inulin tends to be fermented more slowly and throughout the entire colon, providing benefits along the entire digestive tract. FOS undergoes more rapid fermentation, primarily in the proximal colon, leading to faster production of short-chain fatty acids and potentially more immediate effects on gut flora.

From a stability perspective, both compounds show good stability in neutral pH conditions but can be degraded by acidic conditions and high temperatures. FOS tends to be more stable in acidic beverages, while Inulin’s longer chains make it more suitable for applications requiring fat replacement or texture modification.

Conclusion

Inulin powder, derived from chicory root, is a versatile prebiotic fiber with applications in dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages. Its ability to enhance gut health, regulate blood sugar, and improve bone mineral absorption makes it a popular choice for health-conscious consumers.

Why Choose Nutri Avenue Supplier to Buy Chicory Root Inulin Powder?

Nutri Avenue, an FDA-registered supplier of dietary supplement raw materials, specializes in providing high-quality ingredients to supplement product manufacturers of all sizes, contract manufacturers, and private labelers. Distinguished by our extensive capabilities in bulk packaging and wholesale pricing, we maintain five local inventories across the United States, offering thousands of different raw material products to meet diverse manufacturing needs.

Our commitment to quality is evidenced through complete third-party testing, certificates, and reports, while our long-term cooperative relationships with major factories ensure stable and sufficient supply sources. We offer flexible transportation solutions including sea, land, and air shipping to serve our global markets, spanning North America, Mexico, European countries including Poland, Hungary, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as South American nations such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

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