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Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius): A Functional Food

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Abstract

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an Andean tuberous root that is regarded as a functional food given that it contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin and phenolic compounds. The consumption of FOS and inulin improves the growth of bifidobacteria in the colon, enhances mineral absorption and gastrointestinal metabolism and plays a role in the regulation of serum cholesterol. Furthermore, the literature reports that the consumption of these prebiotics promotes a positive modulation of the immune system, improving resistance to infections and allergic reactions. Certain studies have demonstrated the potential of yacon as an alternative food source for those patients with conditions that require dietary changes. This review intends to describe the potential of yacon as a prebiotic and its cultivation and industrial processing for human consumption.

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Abbreviations

FOS:

Fructooligosaccharides

NDOs:

Non-digestible oligosaccharides

PAHO:

Pan American Health Organisation

SCFA:

Short-chain fatty acids

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - “National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development”) for financial support.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6121, 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Grethel Teresa Choque Delgado & Glaucia Maria Pastore

  2. Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6109, 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Wirla Maria da Silva Cunha Tamashiro

  3. Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6121, 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior

Authors
  1. Grethel Teresa Choque Delgado
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  2. Wirla Maria da Silva Cunha Tamashiro
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  3. Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior
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  4. Glaucia Maria Pastore
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Correspondence to Grethel Teresa Choque Delgado.

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Choque Delgado, G.T., da Silva Cunha Tamashiro, W.M., Maróstica Junior, M.R. et al. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius): A Functional Food. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 68, 222–228 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-013-0362-0

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