Molecules, Vol. 28, Pages 1613: Preparation, Structural Characterisation, and Bioactivities of Fructans: A Review

Molecules, Vol. 28, Pages 1613: Preparation, Structural Characterisation, and Bioactivities of Fructans: A Review

Molecules doi: 10.3390/molecules28041613

Authors: Wang Cheong

Polysaccharides are important components of higher plants and have attracted increasing attention due to their many nutraceutical benefits in humans. Fructans, heterogeneous fructose polymers that serve as storage carbohydrates in various plants, represent one of the most important types of natural polysaccharides. Fructans have various physiological and therapeutic effects, which are beneficial to health, and have the ability to prevent or treat various diseases, allowing their wide use in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. This article reviews the occurrence, metabolism, preparation, characterisation, analysis, and bioactivity of fructans. Further, their molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, linkages, and structural determination are described. Taken together, this review provides a theoretical foundation for further research into the structure–function relationships of fructans, as well as valuable new information and directions for further research and application of fructans in functional foods.