Degree of polymerization of inulin molecules during the plant development by GC/MS analysis

International Conference and Exhibition on Polymer Chemistry

November 14-16, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Jose Eduardo Goncalves, Sheila Mara Sanches Lopes, Regina Aparecida Correia Goncalves and Arildo Jose Braz de Oliveira

University Center of Maring���¡, Brazil
State University of Maring���¡, Brazil

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial shrub of South America, that produces diterpene glycosides used as sweeteners. Recently inulin molecule was isolated from its roots, which is a polysaccharide of great interest in the food industry, and for technological applications. For commercial purposes it is necessary to know the accumulation profile of inulin during plant development. S. rebaudiana was cultivated in pots at greenhouse conditions. The plant development was evaluated by four months. S. rebaudiana roots were dried and milled, extracted with water under reflux. The aqueous extract was filtered, concentrated in a rotary evaporator and precipitated with ethanol 1:3 (v/v). After centrifugation (6000 x g/20 min) the precipitate fraction was lyophilized. Determination of the degree of polymerization (DP) for six inulin extracts, one for each cut, was calculated using the quantitative data of the fructose and glucose obtained by GC/MS after hydrolyze and derivatization (oxime-silylate). Quantitative analyses were carried out by internal standard method (myo-inositol) for each monosaccharide (glucose and fructose). The average yield of the extracts in the first three cuts (6.25% dry weight) was less than that observed in the final cut after flowering plant (27.60%). The extracts obtained during the vegetative phase of the plant (two first months), showed fructans molecules with low DP ~ 5, nominated fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Inulin molecules with DP>20 were observed after flowering stage. The data showed that inulin molecules are produced with higher yield and DP after flowering of S. rebaudiana.

Biography :

José Eduardo Gonçalves has completed his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from State University of Campinas. He has experience in Chemistry with emphasis on Analytical Chemistry and Biotechnology, acting on the following topics: Microorganisms immobilization, identification of bioactive substances and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Email: jose.goncalves@unicesumar.edu.br