Abstract
Production of inulin from yam bean tubers by ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithms (GA). Yield of inulin was obtained between 11.97%-12.15% for UAE and 11.21%-11.38% for microwave assisted extraction (MAE) using both the methodologies, significantly higher than conventional method (9.9 %) using optimized conditions. Under such optimized condition, SEM image of root tissues before and extraction showed disruption and microfractures over surface. UAE provided a shade better purity of extracted inulin than other two techniques. Degree of polymerization in inulin was also recorded to be better, might be due lesser degradation during extraction. Significant prebiotic activity was recorded while evaluation using Lactobacillus fermentum and it was 36 % more than glucose treatment. Energy density by UAE was few fold lesser than MAE. Carbon emission was far more less in both these methods than the conventional one.