DETERMINATION OF SACCHARIDES CONTENT IN DIFFERENT ECOTYPES OF YACON (POLYMNIA SONCHIFOLIA POEPPIG AND ENDLICHER) CULTIVATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF CZECH REPUBLIC
FERNANDEZ C. E., LIPAVSKA H., MICHL, J.
Abstract
At present considerable attention has been paid to
yacon over the world, as to the source of raw material for natural sweeteners
and syrups suitable for diabetics because of its content of saccharides namely
inulin and fructose, that are plentifully contained in its root tubers. Besides,
yacon could become useful even as a fodder plant.
For the first time yacon was introduced to Czech Republic in the year 1993.
The results of two years research showed, that yacon can be successfuly grown
even in the conditions of CR. Yacon can be not only a suitable vegetable, but
also a raw material for production of products rich in inulin and fructose.
This concerns namely the natural sweeteners, fruit and vegetable preserves,
soft drinks and baker's or confectioner's products.
The aim of this work was to obtain the data on saccharides content in tubers
of different ecotypes of yacon cultivated under the conditions of CR. As it
was proved, the root tubers contained high quantity of inulin, in some ecotypes
up to 70 % of total soluble saccharides. Prevailing fructose was found up to
47 % . Total inulin and fructose content varied in individual clones within
the range of 65 to 90 % of total saccharides.
Key words:
yacon, fructose, glucose, inulin, saccharose