Fructans and Fructooligosaccharides in Plants and Fruits: Metabolism, Functional Roles, and Emerging Biotechnological...

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry and physiology
• Nutritional science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fructans and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are fructose-based carbohydrates synthesized from sucrose.
• They are vital for plant carbon reserves and abiotic stress tolerance (drought, cold, salinity).
• Their prebiotic properties make them valuable in food and nutraceuticals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated overview of fructan and FOS metabolism in plants.
• To focus on biosynthetic pathways, structural diversity, and physiological roles.
• To highlight fructans in fruits and biotechnological applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of fructan and FOS metabolism.
• Analysis of biosynthetic pathways and structural diversity.
• Exploration of physiological roles and biotechnological strategies.

Main Results:

• Fructans serve as carbon reserves and enhance plant stress resilience.
• Fructans and FOSs possess significant prebiotic and functional food potential.
• Fruit fructan occurrence and function are underexplored areas.

Conclusions:

• Understanding fructan metabolism is crucial for improving crop resilience and nutritional value.
• Breeding, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology offer avenues for enhanced fructan accumulation.
• Biotechnological exploitation holds promise for crop biofortification and functional food development.