Inulin

Inulins are a group of naturally occurring oligosaccharides (several simple sugars linked together) produced by many types of plants. They belong to a class of carbohydrates known as fructans.

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Inulin is used by some plants as a means of storing energy and is typically found in roots or rhizomes. Most plants which synthesise and store inulin do not store other materials such as starch.

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Inulins are mainly comprised of fructose units and typically have a terminal glucose. The fructose units in inulins are joined by a beta-(2-1) glycosidic link. Plant inulins generally contain between 2 to 140 fructose units. The simplest type of inulin is 1-kestose is which has 2 fructose units and 1 glucose unit.

Oligosaccharide: An oligosaccharide is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to six) of component sugars, also known as simple sugars. They are generally found either O- or N-linked to compatible amino acid side chains in proteins or to lipid moieties....

Fructan: A fructan is a polymer of fructose molecules. They occur in foods such as artichokes, asparagus, green beans, leeks, onions (including spring onions), yacon, jícama, and wheat....