| ≥1 piece |
Jerusalem artichoke and chicory are the best raw material choices to produce inulin since they are easily available, and boast high-content inulin that accounts for 70% of total weight of their tubers and stems. The manufacturing process for inulin is rather similar each other, too.
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus Linn.), its underground stem (tuber) contains fructosan, belongs to herbaceous perennid of helianthus of composite family. Its stalk is erective, yellowish, oblate or cuneal (if tuber) and 2-3 meters (10 feet) high with irregular salience, while its leave is oval and green with peaky tip, and produces yellow flowers. Jerusalem artichoke falls into such different breeds as red, white, aubergine and yellow Jerusalem artichoke by tuber’s color. The mature tubers resemble knobby, new
Irish potatoes in appearance and are up to 3 or 4 inches long and half as thick. Several tubers are produced in the ground at the base of the woody, rough-textured stems. Young immature tubers first appear as white, elongated, tender roots. Although a perennial crop by nature, it is grown as an annual. Being planted in several places of
Insects have not been serious problems, but the potential is greater if large acreages develop. Stalk boring insects have been observed, but have caused limited damage. No insecticides are currently registered for use on the crop.
Fertility programs similar to that of potatoes are suggested as a starting point for artichokes. In
Processing for Inulin
The tubers of Jerusalem artichoke are typically harvested, sliced and washed. Inulin is then extracted from the tuber by using a hot water diffusion process, then purified and dried. The resulting product has an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 9-11 and a distribution of molecules with chain lengths from 2–60 units. The finished inulin powder typically contains 3-8% sugars represented as glucose, fructose and sucrose. These are native to the tubers of Jerusalem artichoke, they are not added after extraction.