Stachyose: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:53, 13 February 2025

A tetrasaccharide carbohydrate found in numerous vegetables

Stachyose is a tetrasaccharide carbohydrate consisting of two galactose units, one glucose unit, and one fructose unit. It is commonly found in various vegetables, including beans, peas, and other legumes. Stachyose is part of the raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs), which are known for their role in plant metabolism and their impact on human digestion.

Structure and Composition[edit]

Stachyose is composed of four monosaccharide units linked together. The structure can be described as a galactose-galactose-glucose-fructose sequence. The chemical formula for stachyose is C₂₄H₄₂O₂₁. The presence of multiple hydroxyl groups makes stachyose highly soluble in water.

Occurrence in Nature[edit]

Stachyose is naturally found in a variety of plant sources, particularly in the seeds of leguminous plants. It is a significant component of the raffinose family of oligosaccharides, which also includes raffinose and verbascose. These oligosaccharides are not digestible by humans due to the lack of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, leading to their fermentation by gut microbiota and the production of gas.

Role in Plants[edit]

In plants, stachyose serves as a transport carbohydrate, facilitating the movement of sugars from the photosynthetic tissues to other parts of the plant. It is also involved in the storage of energy and plays a role in the plant's response to environmental stress.

Impact on Human Digestion[edit]

Stachyose, like other oligosaccharides in the raffinose family, is not digested in the small intestine due to the absence of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase. Instead, it passes into the large intestine, where it is fermented by bacteria, producing gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. This can lead to flatulence and discomfort in some individuals.

Uses and Applications[edit]

Stachyose is used in the food industry as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. It is also studied for its potential health benefits, including its role in improving gut health and immune function.

Related pages[edit]

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-{{Chembox
+{{short description|A tetrasaccharide carbohydrate found in numerous vegetables}}
-| Name = Stachyose
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Stachyose}}
-| ImageFile =
-| ImageSize =
-| ImageAlt =
-| IUPACName = O-α-D-Galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-fructofuranoside
-| OtherNames =
-}}
-'''Stachyose''' is a [[tetrasaccharide]] consisting of two α-D-galactose units, one α-D-glucose unit, and one β-D-fructose unit sequentially linked as gal(α1→6)gal(α1→6)glc(α1→2)fru. It is naturally found in various vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, making it a significant component of the human diet in many cultures. Stachyose is particularly abundant in plants like [[soybeans]], [[legumes]], and other beans, where it functions as both a source of stored energy and a solute contributing to the regulation of osmotic pressure.
+[[File:Stachyose.svg|thumb|right|Chemical structure of stachyose]]
-==Structure and Properties==
+'''Stachyose''' is a [[tetrasaccharide]] carbohydrate consisting of two [[galactose]] units, one [[glucose]] unit, and one [[fructose]] unit. It is commonly found in various vegetables, including [[beans]], [[peas]], and other [[legumes]]. Stachyose is part of the [[raffinose family of oligosaccharides]] (RFOs), which are known for their role in plant metabolism and their impact on human digestion.
-Stachyose is part of the [[raffinose family oligosaccharides]] (RFOs), which are oligosaccharides built up from sucrose by sequential addition of galactose units. Due to its structure, stachyose is not digestible by humans directly because the human gastrointestinal tract lacks the enzyme α-galactosidase, which is necessary to break down the α-1,6-glycosidic linkages between galactose molecules.
-==Biological Role and Dietary Significance==
+==Structure and Composition==
-In plants, stachyose plays a crucial role in carbon transport and storage. In the human diet, it reaches the colon intact and is fermented by the resident microflora. This fermentation process can produce gas, leading to the characteristic bloating and discomfort associated with consuming large amounts of legumes and other stachyose-rich foods.
+Stachyose is composed of four monosaccharide units linked together. The structure can be described as a [[galactose]]-[[galactose]]-[[glucose]]-[[fructose]] sequence. The chemical formula for stachyose is C<sub>24</sub>H<sub>42</sub>O<sub>21</sub>. The presence of multiple [[hydroxyl groups]] makes stachyose highly soluble in water.
-The presence of stachyose in the diet is also linked to various health benefits. It acts as a [[prebiotic]], promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut such as [[Bifidobacteria]] and [[Lactobacilli]]. These beneficial effects contribute to improved gut health and may enhance immune function.
+==Occurrence in Nature==
+Stachyose is naturally found in a variety of plant sources, particularly in the seeds of [[leguminous plants]]. It is a significant component of the [[raffinose family of oligosaccharides]], which also includes [[raffinose]] and [[verbascose]]. These oligosaccharides are not digestible by humans due to the lack of the enzyme [[alpha-galactosidase]], leading to their fermentation by [[gut microbiota]] and the production of [[gas]].
-==Commercial Use==
+==Role in Plants==
-Stachyose is extracted from various sources for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. It is used as a functional ingredient in foods, given its prebiotic properties, and is also explored for its potential in managing blood sugar levels and improving mineral absorption.
+In plants, stachyose serves as a [[transport carbohydrate]], facilitating the movement of sugars from the [[photosynthetic]] tissues to other parts of the plant. It is also involved in the storage of energy and plays a role in the plant's response to [[environmental stress]].
-==See Also==
+==Impact on Human Digestion==
-* [[Oligosaccharide]]
+Stachyose, like other oligosaccharides in the raffinose family, is not digested in the [[small intestine]] due to the absence of the enzyme [[alpha-galactosidase]]. Instead, it passes into the [[large intestine]], where it is fermented by [[bacteria]], producing gases such as [[hydrogen]], [[methane]], and [[carbon dioxide]]. This can lead to [[flatulence]] and discomfort in some individuals.
-* [[Prebiotic (nutrition)]]
-* [[Soybean]]
+==Uses and Applications==
-* [[Legume]]
+Stachyose is used in the food industry as a [[prebiotic]], promoting the growth of beneficial [[gut bacteria]]. It is also studied for its potential health benefits, including its role in improving [[gut health]] and [[immune function]].
+==Related pages==
+* [[Raffinose family of oligosaccharides]]
+* [[Prebiotics]]
+* [[Flatulence]]
+* [[Legumes]]
 [[Category:Carbohydrates]]
-[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
+[[Category:Oligosaccharides]]
-{{nutrition-stub}}