• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Yacon (Samallanthus sonchifolius), a common edible plant grown throughout the world, is well known for its antidiabetic properties. It is also known to have several other pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer effects. To date, the effect of yacon on gliomas has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of yacon on the migration and proliferation of C6 glioma cells stimulated by fetal bovine serum (FBS). MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell growth and proliferation were determined by evaluating cell viability using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. FBS-induced migration of C6 glioma cells was evaluated by performing the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. We also used western blot analysis to determine the expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), a major regulator of migration and proliferation of glioma cells. Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by performing reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: Yacon ($300{\mu}g/mL$) reduced both the FBS-induced proliferation of C6 glioma cells and the dose-dependent migration of the FBS-stimulated C6 cells. FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells treated with yacon (200 and $300{\mu}g/mL$) showed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of MMP 9 expression compared to those shown by the untreated FBS-stimulated C6 cells. In contrast, yacon (200 and $300{\mu}g/mL$) induced TIMP-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, we suggest that yacon may exert an anti-cancer effect on FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells by inhibiting their proliferation and migration. The most likely mechanism for this is down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 and up-regulation of TIMP-1 expression levels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.1288-1293
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• 2012

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) contains high amounts of fructooligosaccharides and has been known to promote health of the intestinal tract and to have anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities. Yacon concentrates were added to make five different pan breads, each with the addition 0% (YE 0), 25% (YE 25), 50% (YE 50), 75% (YE 75), and 100% (YE 100) of yacon concentrates instead of sugar. The higher the yacon concentration in the dough, the more time was needed for the dough to rise. Higher yacon concentration also affected the color of the bread by lowering the L-value and raising the a and b values. The hardness and chewiness of the bread significantly decreased with increasing yacon concentration, while cohesiveness increased. In the bread sensory evaluation, the intensity of crust color, crumb color, yacon flavor, sweetness, yacon taste, moistness, and residual mouth feel were increased with increasing yacon concentrates, while the uniformity of crumb pores slightly decreased. The consumer acceptance of taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptance were increased with increasing yacon concentrations. As a conclusion, the substitution of yacon concentrates for sugar improved bread quality and increased consumer acceptance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2012

In this study, the effects of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) leaf on the quality characteristics of cookies were examined. In order to investigate its effects, four different amounts (0%: Control, Y-0.5, Y-1.0, Y-1.5) of yacon leaf powder were added to the cookie dough. Among the physicochemical and sensory characteristics, the density and pH of the dough, spread factor, color value, firmness, consumer acceptability, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were measured. Although there was no significant difference in pH of the doughs among the groups, density significantly decreased with increasing amount of yacon leaf powder (p<0.05). While the L, a, b values, and hardness decreased significantly, DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased significantly as the content of yacon leaf powder increased (p<0.05). Overall acceptability, appearance, taste, and texture between the control and Y-0.5 groups showed no significant differences. This study suggests the possibility of yacon leaf as an ingredient that increases the functionality of cookies.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1035-1038
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• 2005

Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepping & Endlicher), which contains fructo-oligosaccharide, is low calorie functional food. Yacon is efficacious against cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Yacon K-23 has antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3710 and Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1927) and negative (Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2514, Escherichia coli KCCM 11591, Proteus vulgaris KCTS 2512, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCCM 11803), Yacons A (water extract) and B (crushed juice) showed clear zone of 10mm, while Cassiae Semen, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Angelica gigas showed 7-10mm. Yacon jam showed good sensory attributes, suggesting it could be utilized as food ingredient. Hardness, adhesiveness, and strength of strawberry jam with or without aloe vera were higher than those of yacon jam with or without aloe vera.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.14-26
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• 2014

This study investigated the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of muffins prepared with various amounts(0, 3, 6, 9, 12%) of yacon powder. The specific gravity of the muffins prepared by adding yacon powder was higher than that of the control group. The height of the muffins added with 3% yacon powder was higher than that of the other groups. The weight of the muffins prepared with yacon powder showed no significant difference among all the sample groups. The volume and specific loaf volume of the muffins were decreased by addition of yacon powder. The baking loss rate of the muffins prepared by adding yacon powder showed no significant difference among all the sample groups. The moisture content of the muffins was increased, but their pH was decreased significantly by addition of yacon powder. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the control group was 21.45%, whereas the muffins prepared with yacon powder ranged from 57.23~85.46%. The a value of redness was increased, but L and b values were decreased significantly by addition of yacon powder. The springiness, cohesiveness and brittleness of textural properties of the muffins were decreased significantly by addition of yacon powder. Sensory evaluation scores in terms of appearance, taste, texture and overall preference for the muffins showed that 6~9% substituted sample groups were higher than those of the others. The results of this study suggest that adding 6~9% of yacon powder was the best substitution ratio for muffins.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.734-742
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• 2015

The purpose of this research was to find the most appropriate process for making yacon leaf tea. We applied both green tea and black tea brewing and fermenting methods for producing yacon leaf tea. This research included consumer test and descriptive analysis of professional trained panel on yacon tea tastes and flavors. Both consumer test and descriptive evaluation preferred yacon tea produced by black tea brewing and fermenting methods because it tasted less bitter and had a sweet, delicate taste. According to orthogonal transformation resulting from varimax rotation, first principal component was positively affected by black tea brewing and fermenting methods, while it was negatively affected by green tea brewing and fermenting methods. As a result, the study concluded black tea brewing and fermenting methods were appropriate for producing yacon leaf tea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1453-1459
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• 2016

Yacon syrup, which contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS), was used as a substitute for sugar to make functional healthy sponge cake. Regarding characteristics of sponge cake with various yacon syrup concentrations, height and volume decreased while moisture content increased with increasing yacon syrup concentration. Sponge cake with increasing yacon syrup content showed a greater green-yellowish color. Springiness, cohesiveness, hardness, and brittleness decreased with increasing yacon syrup concentration. Hardness values of cakes made with 100% sugar (YS 0) and yacon syrup substitute for 10% sugar (YS 10) were not significantly different. Overall acceptance of sponge cake decreased with increasing yacon syrup content, whereas those of YS 0 and YS 10 were not significantly different. For storage period, moisture content of sponge cake with increasing yacon syrup concentration decreased during storage, whereas the decreasing moisture content was less than that of YS 0. The color of sponge cake with various yacon syrup concentrations did not change significantly during storage. Springiness and cohesiveness decreased during storage. Hardness increased with storage period, whereas that of sponge cake made with yacon syrup was lower than that of YS 0. In conclusion, sponge cake made with YS 10 is the best to make sponge cake with high consumer acceptance, reduced sugar content, and FOS.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.472-476
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• 2011

Hypercholesterolemia indirectly increases the risk of arterial and venous thrombosis by enhancing the ability of platelets to aggregate. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is composed of fructooligosaccharides, proteins, minerals and phenolic compounds, and has potential benefits for the management of diabetes. This study investigated whether the consumption of yacon in the diet inhibits platelet aggregation under hypercholesterolemic conditions. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed one of five dietary interventions: a normal control diet, 0.5% cholesterol diet, 0.5% cholesterol diet+a low dose of yacon (0.5 g/kg body weight given orally each day), 0.5% cholesterol diet+a high dose of yacon (2.5 g/kg body weight given orally each day), or a 0.5% cholesterol diet+lovastatin (2 mg/kg body weight given orally each day). After 8 weeks, blood was collected to measure the amount of collagen- and thrombin-induced platelets present. Yacon inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by low doses of agonists (0.5 ${\mu}g/mL$ collagen and 0.02 units/ml thrombin) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, yacon concentration-dependently inhibited collagen-induced arachidonic acid liberation. Moreover, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed a marked and selective inhibition of the platelet aggregation induced by collagen, again in a dose-dependent manner. These fractions, especially that of chloroform, significantly suppressed platelet aggregation. The results of this study demonstrate that when yacon is added to a cholesterol-enriched diet, cholesterol-induced platelet aggregation returns to control levels. This may also be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis and reducing risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2011

The baking performance of yacon powder as a value-added food ingredient was investigated in a model system of sponge cakes. Yacon powder was incorporated into cake batter at 5 levels (0, 10, 20, and 30%, w/w) by replacing equivalent amount of wheat flour. The specific gravity of batter increased significantly while pH decreased significantly with the increase in yacon powder content (p < 0.05). The specific volume and moisture content of sponge cakes decreased while baking loss increased (p < 0.05). Volume of the cakes decreased with higher amount of yacon powder in the formulation as indicated by the decrease in the volume index. The symmetry index was not affected by the amount of yacon powder in the formulation (p > 0.05). Sponge cakes became darker and firmer with increase in yacon powder content (p < 0.05). Finally, the consumer acceptance test indicated that incorporation of yacon powder up to 20% in the formulation of sponge cakes did not significantly influence the consumers' overall acceptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the physiochemical properties and anti-diabetic effect of yacon vinegar by two-step fermentation. Yacon was matured at room temperature for 20 days. The sugar content of yacon juice prepared from mature yacon was approximately $14^{\circ}Brix$. In the first stage, yacon wine was produced from the juice at $28^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. In the second stage, acetic acid fermentation was conducted at $30^{\circ}C$ and 200 rpm for 6 days to produce yacon vinegar with 4.75% acidity. The major free sugars of yacon vinegar were glucose and fructose at 2,072.12 mg% and 463.95 mg%, respectively. The acetic acid content was the highest of the major organic acids at 3,881.44 mg%. The total free amino acid content was 62.88 mg% with the main free amino acids being proline, ${\gamma}$-amino-n-butyric acid and ornithine. The major minerals of yacon vinegar were Ca, K and Mg. The in vivo anti-diabetic activity of yacon vinegar was investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice were administered orally with 10% yacon juice and two yacon vinegars (5% and 10%) at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 4 weeks. Five% yacon vinegar improved the fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance test significantly compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.05). Yacon vinegar increased the pancreatic C-peptide concentration in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that 5% yacon vinegar has a more potent effect on ameliorating hyperglycemia than 10% yacon juice.