General Description
Synonyms: Beneo; Frutafit; oligofructose; Orafti; polyfructose; Raftiline
Description: Inulin occurs as an odorless white powder with a neutral to slightly sweet taste.
Chemical Name:Inulin
Functions
Diagnostic aid; sweetening agent; tablet binder.
Uses
Inulin has many potential uses in pharmaceutical applications, as a filler–binder in tablet formulations; to stabilize therapeutic proteins; or to enhance the dissolution of lipophilic drugs.
Methacrylated inulin hydrogels have been investigated for the development of colon-specific drug delivery systems.
Inulin is used as a diagnostic agent to measure the glomerular filtration rate.
It is used in the food industry as a sweetener and stabilizer; and also as a prebiotic, where it has been shown to provide protection against inflammatory and malignant colonic diseases in animals.
It is also used as a noncaloric dietary fiber supplement.
Incompatibilities
Inulin is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Safety
Inulin is a naturally occurring plant polysaccharide and is one of the major constituents of the Compositae family. Inulin is recommended to diabetics, as it has a mild sweet taste, but is not absorbed and does not affect blood sugar levels. It is used widely in the food industry as a sweetener and stabilizer.
Handling Precautions
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Inulin may cause mild irritation to the skin and the eyes. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.