Several studies have indicated health promoting effects of pectin derived compounds. Sugar beet pulp is a potential starting material for production of such pectin derived products having potential health benefits. A prerequisite for proper evaluation is to advance the methodology for controlled production, separation and isolation of defined sugar beet pectin structures. The main focus in the present work was the development of targeted biocatalysis of sugar beet pectin and advancing the methodologies required for separation and purification of defined sugar beet pectin oligosaccharides. The potential prebiotic effect of the produced oligosaccharides was investigated by small scale in vitro fermentation by human faecal samples. Two slightly different homogalacturonan oligosaccharides had a differential influence on the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes and high molecular weight arabino oligosaccharides were able to selectively stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria, thereby proving that potential prebiotic compounds can be derived from sugar beet pectin.

Biorefinery and evaluation of potential bioactive sugar beet pectin oligosaccharides

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.