Projectname:
Yacon syrup as novel source for prebiotic-based sugar alternative
Workgroup: Plant-based foods
Research partners and scientific guidance:
IGF: 293 EN
Financing: BMWi
Duration: 2021 – 2022
There are currently many sugar substitutes on the market. These substitutes are used as an alternative to sugar by people who have diet restrictions mostly. But more and more people are now switching to these products too because they do not want to eat sugar anymore. They are looking for something healthier, something with a lower caloric value, with less damage on the glycemic index. Though there is a wide variety of sweeteners and other sugar substitutes on the market, most of them are controversial, especially because of their impact on human health, their organoleptic quality or their cost.
YACON (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an Andean tuberous root currently emerging in Europe. Yacon tubers contain compounds of interest such as fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin. Yacon tubers could thus be a good food alternative for people who need or want to change their diet, for it is a source of prebiotics, is supposed to have a low caloric value and good organoleptic quality.
With the increased incidence of chronic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes…) and the growing demand for natural, healthy & sustainable food products, the food industry is seeking solutions to meet consumer’s demand. The food industry is facing the challenge of developing products with improved-nutritional properties, no additives & great taste quality. This project aims to help food companies by studying the potential of yacon to be processed into a syrup of high-nutritional value and good organoleptic properties.
Activities will assess:
The YARUP project aims to deliver a substantial positive impact on the development of a new European market for Yacon. The economic potential is great, considering all the stakeholders affected by the project. Farmers can benefit from a growing demand of this emerging crop, food industries can benefit from a new ingredient source of prebiotics and provide consumers with a new food alternative with low sugar & caloric level. This represents, together with an increased awareness towards healthy food in western societies, the market potential of the research.
The IGF project presented here by the Research Association of the Industrial Association for Food Technology and Packaging (IVLV e.V.) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the program for the promotion of industrial community research (IGF) based on a decision of the German Bundestag.