Chicory root extract is derived from the root of the chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) and is known to be a rich source of inulin, a type of soluble prebiotic fiber. This extract is commonly used as a food additive for its natural sweetening properties and for the digestive health benefits it offers.

Nutritional Profile (per 100 grams).

• Calories Approximately 20 kcal.
• Protein Minimal.
• Fat None.
• Carbohydrates About 4.5 grams, mostly in the form of inulin.
• Fiber High in fiber, due to the presence of inulin.
• Vitamins and Minerals Contains traces of some minerals.

Industrial Production Process

• Selection and Harvesting of Roots. The production of chicory root extract begins with the selection and harvesting of high-quality chicory roots. The roots are harvested when mature to ensure the highest content of inulin.
• Cleaning and Preparation. The harvested roots are thoroughly cleaned to remove soil and any external residue. They are then cut into smaller pieces to facilitate extraction.
• Drying (Optional). The roots may be dried to reduce moisture content, improving the efficiency of inulin extraction. This step is optional and depends on the extraction method used.
• Extraction. The prepared roots undergo a hot water extraction process to separate inulin and other soluble compounds from the plant fibers. The temperature and duration of extraction are controlled to maximize yield.
• Filtration and Purification. The extracted solution is filtered to remove solids and then purified using various methods, such as membrane filtration or chromatography, to concentrate the inulin and remove impurities.
• Concentration. The purified solution is concentrated under vacuum or through evaporation to remove excess water and obtain a denser extract.
• Drying. The concentrated extract is finally dried using techniques such as spray drying or freeze-drying to produce a fine powder or granules of chicory root extract.
• Quality Control. Before distribution, the chicory root extract undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets standards for purity, inulin content, and absence of contaminants.

Considerations

Chicory root extract can help improve digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Additionally, inulin can aid in blood sugar regulation and weight management.

Digestion The high inulin content may cause bloating or intestinal discomfort in some individuals if consumed in large quantities.

Use Used as a sweetener in beverages and food products, and valued for its properties as a coffee substitute.

Health Benefits Beyond digestive health benefits, it may have positive effects on weight management and blood sugar regulation.

Studies

Its roots have been isolated polyphenols (1) and terpenoids (2) in discrete amounts and the content of inulin (a low-calorie polysaccaride used as a sugar substitute) reaches up to 40%.

Chicory manages to accumulate in its interior esters of coffee acid, interesting components for human health (3) and has as its main characteristic the effect of reducing the content of uric acid in the human body (4)

This vegetable is commonly used as a salad or as a coffee substitute.

Chicory is grown on a large scale and is a plant that can be genetically modified with CRISPR/Cas9 technology (5).

The most common chicory is Cichorium intybus L., but there is also red chicory (Cichorium intybus) which has excellent antioxidant properties.

Chicory studies

References_________________________________________________

(1) Malarz J, Stojakowska A, Kisiel W. Long-term cultured hairy roots of chicory-a rich source of hydroxycinnamates and 8-deoxylactucin glucoside.    Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2013 Dec;171(7):1589-601. doi: 10.1007/s12010-013-0446-1.

(2) Delporte M, Bernard G, Legrand G, Hielscher B, Lanoue A, Molinié R, Rambaud C, Mathiron D, Besseau S, Linka N, Hilbert JL, Gagneul D J  A BAHD neofunctionalization promotes tetrahydroxycinnamoyl spermine accumulation in the pollen coat of the Asteraceae family. Exp Bot. 2018 Nov 26;69(22):5355-5371. doi: 10.1093/jxb/ery320

(3) Guillaume Legrand, Marianne Delporte, Chahinez Khelifi, Adeline Harant, Christophe Vuylsteker, Monika Mörchen, Philippe Hance, Jean-Louis Hilbert, and David Gagneul  Identification and Characterization of Five BAHD Acyltransferases Involved in Hydroxycinnamoyl Ester Metabolism in Chicory   Front Plant Sci. 2016; 7: 741.  doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00741

(4) Bian M, Lin Z, Wang Y, Zhang B, Li G, Wang H.  Bioinformatic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveal Intervention Effects of Chicory in a Quail Model of Hyperuricemia.   Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Dec 3;2018:5730385. doi: 10.1155/2018/5730385.

(5) Bernard G, Gagneul D, Alves Dos Santos H, Etienne A, Hilbert JL, Rambaud C.  Efficient Genome Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology in Chicory.   Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 6;20(5). pii: E1155. doi: 10.3390/ijms20051155.