Extraction and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Inulin from Jerusalem artichoke and their Effects on Textural and Sensorial Characteristics of Yogurt

Inulin has become an attractive ingredient in the food industry because of its nutritional and functional characteristics. Extraction of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke and the effects of its enzymatic hydrolyzate on the textural and sensorial characteristics of yogurt were investigated. The extraction yield (98%) of inulin was obtained with dry Jerusalem artichoke powder. The thin-layer chromatography and the ion chromatogram analysis of the enzymatic hydrolyzate revealed that inulinase hydrolyzed inulin into fructooligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization from 2 to 10. Utilization of inulin and hydrolyzate in yogurts improved their textural properties. Sensorial evaluation of yogurts showed that yogurts with inulin or its hydrolyzate had a better body and smoother texture than yogurts with sucrose only. The findings of this study suggest that inulin or its hydrolyzate can partially replace sucrose in formulations in the food industry.