Production and characteristics of cello- and xylo-oligosaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis of buckwheat hulls

Abstract

This study was conducted to produce oligosaccharides from buckwheat hull by using commercial enzymes. Yields of oligosaccharides obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions were 132.37 and 393.04 g/kg, respectively. Xylose, glucose, fructose, xylobiose, xylotriose, cellobiose, and cellotriose were detected in the hydrolysate produced from buckwheat hull. Antioxidant activity of oligosaccharide from cellulose fraction (OSC) reduced with increasing hydrolysis time; however, the antioxidant activity of oligosaccharide from hemicellulose fraction (OSF) increased as the hydrolysis time was prolonged. OSF and OSC showed higher increase in viable counts compared to the control. As a result, oligosaccharides produced from buckwheat hull by enzymatic hydrolysis showed antioxidant activity and prebiotic effects. It is suggested that utilization of oligosaccharides produced from buckwheat hull as functional food materials may be improved when hydrolysis time and conditions are controlled for this purpose.