Extraction and Determination of Inulin type Fructan from Yacón (Smallanthus Sonchifolius): Technological Scheme for its Industrial Production

Abstract

Content of inulin type fructan by mean a standardized procedure and using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was determined. A multifactorial design 2^3 by using Statgraphics V. 16 software was employed. Three independent variables at two levels-temperature: 333 K y 353 K; time: 5 and 25 min, and water yacon ratio of 3 mL/200 g and 7 mL/200 g were selected. The maximum yield was of 18 %. The optimal conditions for extracting were, time: 24 min; temperature: 352 K; and water volume-yacon mass ratio was 6, 9 mL/200 g. By using SuperPro Designer software the industrial-production technology was designed for a batch process. For a 100 kg per day-processing plant of raw materials an economic analysis was performed, and net present value (NPV) of 200 005, an Internal Rate Return (ITR) of 40 %, and a payback period of 19 months were obtained. The fermentation products of inulin type fructan at the colon act as subtracts and signaling of molecules in the regulation of immune response, the glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism, reducing the hyperglycemia, obesity, and colorectal cancer risks.