Movatterモバイル変換

Plant Soil Environ., 2003, 49(6):283-290 | DOI: 10.17221/4126-PSE

Yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia(Poepp. et Endl.) H. Robinson] chemical composition and use - a review

J. Lachman, E.C. Fernández, M. Orsák

Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Czech Republic

Yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia(Poepp. et Endl.) H. Robinson], a native plant of the Andes, belongs to the familyCompositae (Asteraceae) and it represents a traditional crop of the original population of Peru used in traditional medicine. A major portion of tuberous root biomass is composed of water (> 70% of fresh weight). Saccharides, especially oligo-fructans, form 70-80% of dry weight, protein content ranges between 0.3% and 3.7%. Fructooligosaccharides of inulin type b (2®1), mainly oligomers (GF2-GF16), are known for their ability to keep the colon healthy. Yacon sweetness is predominantly caused by fructose, which is by some 70% sweeter than sucrose. Other oligosaccharides are 1-kestose and nystose. Diabetics and persons suffering from digestive problems are recommended to consume yacon because its sugars are not available from the small intestine. The mean tuberous root composition per 100 g of fresh matter is 81.3, 13.8, 0.9, 1.0, 0.1 and 1.1 g of water, saccharides, fibre, proteins, lipids and ash, respectively. Mean mineral contents per 100 g of fresh matter are 334, 34, 12, 8.4, 0.4 and 0.2 mg of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium and iron, respectively. Vitamins B1, B2, C, b-carotene and polyphenols in the same weight are present at mean concentrations 0.07, 0.31, 5.0, 0.13 and 203 mg, respectively. Yacon can be considered an industrial crop, particularly as a source of inulin. The used forms are flour, syrup, extract from tuberous roots and moreover leaf extract for the preparation of yacon infusion with hypoglycaemic effect. In yacon leaves di- and sesquiterpenes with protective effects against insects are present, among them mainlyent-kaurenic acid (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid) and its derivative - 15-a-angeloyloxy-ent-kauren-19-oic acid 16-epoxide. Other components are polyphenolic antioxidants, esp. hydroxycinnamic acids and chlorogenic acid. A new antifungal melampolide - sesquiterpene lactone named sonchifolin, as well as three known melampolides, polymatin B, uvedalin and enhydrin, were isolated from leaf extracts of yacon. Three major phytoalexins were isolated: 4'-hydroxy-3'-(3-methylbutanoyl)acetophenone, 4'-hydroxy-3'-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetophenone and 5-acetyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzofuran.

Keywords: yacon; chemical composition; biological activity; use

Published: June 30, 2003 Show citation

1. Aybar M.J., Riera A.N.S., Grau A., Sanchez S.S. (2001): Hypoglycemic effect of the water of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) leaves in normal and diabetic rats. J. Ethnopharmacol., 74: 125-132.Go to original source...Go to PubMed...
2. Bredemann G. (1948): About Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl. (Polymnia edulis Wedd.), the yacon. Bot. Oecon. (Hamburg), 1: 65-85. (In German)
3. Calvino M. (1940): A new plant for production of forage and alcohol: Polymnia edulis. Ind. Saccar. Ital., 33: 95-98. (In Italian)
4. Cisneros-Zevallos L.A., Nunez R., Campos D., Noratto G., Chirinos R., Arvizu C. (2002): Characterization and evaluation of fructooligosaccharides on yacon roots (Smallanthus sonchifolia Poepp. & End.) during storage. Abstr. Sess. 15 E. Nutraceuticals and functional foods. Ann. Meet. Food Expo-Anaheim, California: 15E-27.
5. Frček J., Michl J., Pavlas J., Šupichová J. (1995): Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.) - a new perspective tuber and forage crop. Genet. Zdr. Rastl., VŠP, Nitra: 73-77. (In Czech)
6. Fukai K., Miyazaki S., Nanjo F., Hara Y. (1993): Distribution of carbohydrates and related enzyme-activities in yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia). Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 39: 567-571.Go to original source...
7. Fukai K., Ohno S., Goto K., Nanjo F., Hara Y. (1997): Seasonal fluctuations in fructans content and related activities in yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia). Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 43: 171-177.Go to original source...
8. Goto K., Fukai K., Hikida J., Nanjo F., Hara Y. (1995): Isolation and structural analysis of oligosaccharides from yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia). Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 59: 2346-2347.Go to original source...
9. Grau A., Kortsarz A.M., Aybar M.J., Sánchez R.A., Sánchez S.S. (2001): Return of yacon. Rev. Divulg. Cient. Tecnol. Asoc. Cienc. Hoy, 11: http://www.ciencia-hoy.retina.ar/hoy63/yacon.htm. (In Spanish)
10. Grau A., Rea J. (1997): Yacon. Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson. In: Hermann M., Heller J. (eds.): Andean roots and tuberous roots: Ahipa, Arracacha, Maca and Yacon. Promoting the conservation and use of underulitized crops. IPK, Gatersleben/IPGRI, Rome, 174: 199-256.
11. Hermann M., Freire I., Pazos C. (1998): Compositional diversity of the yacon storage root. CIP Progr. Rep. 1997- 1998, Lima, Peru: 425-432.
12. Hondo M., Nakano A., Okumura Y., Yamaki T. (2000a): Effects of activated carbon powder treatment on clarification, decolorization, deodorization and fructooligosaccharide content of yacon juice. J. Jpn. Soc. Food Sci. Technol., 47: 148-154. (In Japan)Go to original source...
13. Hondo M., Okumura Y., Yamaki T. (2000b): A preparation of yacon vinegar containing natural fructooligosaccharides. J. Jpn. Soc. Food Sci. Technol., 47: 803-807. (In Japan)Go to original source...
14. Inoue A., Tamogami S., Kato H., Nakazato Y., Akiyama M., Akatsuka T., Hashidoko Y. (1995): Antifungal melampolides from leaf extracts of Smallanthus sonchifolius. Phytochemistry, 39: 845-848.Go to original source...
15. Itaya N.M., De Carvalho M.A.M., Figueiredo-Ribeiro R.D.L. (2002): Fructosyl transferase and hydrolase activities in rhizophores and tuberous roots upon growth of Polymnia sonchifolia (Asteraceae). Physiol. Plant., 116: 451-459.Go to original source...
16. Kakihara T.S., Câmara F.L.A., Vilhena S.M.S. (1997): Cultivation and processing of yacon: A Brazilian experience. 1 st Yacon Workshop, Botucatú (SP), Brazil. (In Portugal)
17. Kakuta H., Seki T., Hashidoko Y., Mizutani J. (1992): Entkaurenic acid and its related-compounds from glandular trichome exudate and leaf extracts of Polymnia sonchifolia. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 56: 1562-1564.Go to original source...
18. Kamada T., Nakajima M., Nabetani H., Iwamoto S. (2002): Pilot-scale study of the purification and concentration of non-digestible saccharides from yacon rootstock using membrane technology. Food Sci. Technol. Res., 8: 172-177.Go to original source...
19. León J. (1964): Andean nutritional plants. IICA, Bol. Téc., 6, Zona Andina. Lima-Perú: 57-62. (In Spanish)
20. Nakatani M., Koda Y. (1992): Potato tuber root-inducing activity of the extracts of some root and tuber root crops. Jpn. J. Crop Sci., 61: 394-400.Go to original source...
21. Nieto C.C. (1991): Agronomical and bromatological studies on yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.). Inst. Nac. Invest. Agropec., Quito-Ecuador. Arch. Latinoam. Nutr., 41: 213-221. (In Spanish)Go to PubMed...
22. Ohyama T., Ito O., Yasuyoshi S., Ikarashi T., Minamisawa K., Kubota M., Tsukinashi T., Asami T. (1990): Composition of storage carbohydrate in tuber roots of yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia). Soil Sci. Plant. Nutr., 36: 167-171.Go to original source...
23. Pedreschi R., Campos D., Noratto G., Chirinos R., CisnerosZevallos L.A. (2002): Fermentation of fructooligosaccharides from yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia poepp. End.) by L. acidophilus NRRL B-1910, L. brevis NRRL B-4527, L. gasseri NRRL B-14168, L. plantarum NRRL B-4496 and B. bifidum. Abstr. Sess. 84, Nutraceuticals and functional foods, 2002 Ann. Meet., Food Expo-Anaheim, California: 84-89.
24. Quemener B., Thibault J.F., Cousement P. (1994): Determination of inulin and oligofructose in food products and integration in the AOAC method for measurement of total diateary fibre. Lebensm.-Wiss. Technol., 27: 125-132.Go to original source...
25. da Silva M.A.S., de Hidalgo F., de Morais L.A.S., dos Goncalves M.A., da Silva S.M.P. (2002): Production of yacon plantlet (Polymnia sonchifolia Poep. et Endl.) in different organic fertilization. In: Bernath J., Zamborine E.Z., Craker L., Kock O. (eds.): ISHS Acta Hort. 576, Int. Conf. Medicinal and aromatic plants. Possibilities and limitations of medicinal and aromatic plant production in the 21st century. Budapest.Go to original source...
26. Silva R.F. (1996): Use of inulin as a natural texture modifier. Cereal Food World, 41: 792-794.
27. Takasugi M., Masuda T. (1996): Studies on stress metabolites. 22. Three 4'-hydroxyacetophenone-related phytoalexins from Polymnia sonchifolia. Phytochemistry, 43: 1019-1021.Go to original source...
28. Valentová K., Frček J., Ulrichová J. (2001): Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and Maca (Lepidium meyenii), traditional Andean crops as new functional foods on the European market. Chem. Listy, 95: 594-601. (In Czech)
29. Volpato G.T., Vieira F.C.G., Almeida F., Câmara F., Lemonica I.P. (1997): Study of the hypoglycemic effects of Polymnia sanchifolia leaf extracts in rats. II. World Congr. Medicinal and aromatic plants for human welfare, Mendoza, Argentina.
30. Wei B., Hara M., Yamauchi R., Ueno Y., Kato K. (1991): Fructo-oligosaccharides in the tuberous roots of Jerusalem artichoke and yacon. Res. Bull. Fac. Agric., Gifu Univ., 56: 133-138.
31. Yan X.J., Suzuki M., Ohnishi-Kameyama M., Sada Y., Nakanishi T., Nagata T. (1999): Extraction and identification of antioxidants in the roots of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius). J. Agric. Food Chem., 47: 4711-4713.Go to original source...Go to PubMed...
32. Yoshida M., Ono H., Mori Y., Chuda Y., Mori M. (2002): Oxygenation of bisphenol A to quinones by polyphenol oxidase in vegetables. J. Agric. Food Chem., 50: 4377-4381.Go to original source...Go to PubMed...
33. Zardini E. (1991): Ethnobotanical notes on "yacon", Polymnia sonchifolia (Asteraceae). Econ. Bot., 45: 72-85.Go to original source...