Freeze-dried Yacon
Freeze-dried yacon powder is a natural and functional product obtained from the Andean tuber Smallanthus sonchifolius through a concentration and dehydration process by freeze-drying that preserves its nutritional and sensory properties.
product description
Freeze-dried yacon powder is a fine, light cream to light brown powder with a characteristic natural sweet flavor due to its high fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin content. The freeze-drying process eliminates almost all moisture (approximately 0.245%), giving the powder microbiological stability and a long shelf life without the need for additives or preservatives.
Nutritional and functional composition
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): up to 57% of the total, prebiotic fiber that promotes intestinal health and microbiome balance.
- Total dietary fiber: 30-35 g per 100 g, promotes satiety and glycemic control.
- Total carbohydrates: between 70-80 g per 100 g, with low simple sugar content.
- Proteins: 1 to 2 g per 100 g.
- Fats: 0.5 to 1 g per 100 g.
- Vitamins: mainly vitamins C and E, with antioxidant activity.
- Minerals: calcium, potassium and magnesium in relevant quantities.
- Free amino acids: highlighting glutamine and arginine, contributing to metabolic functions.
Physical and chemical properties
- Humidity: very low, around 3.12%, which guarantees stability and prevents deterioration.
- Color: Blanco a crema.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water, average dissolution around 41 seconds for optimal concentrations.
- Yield: approximately 17.2% final powder yield relative to the initial juice at 20° Brix concentration.
Industrial uses and applications
- Low-calorie natural sweetener with functional health benefits.
- Ingredient in functional foods, nutritional supplements, beverages, yogurts, chocolates, and energy bars.
- It provides sweetness without raising blood sugar levels, favoring products aimed at diabetics or conscious consumers.
- Prebiotic fiber and antioxidants accompany the formulations with added properties for digestive and metabolic health.
Advantages for the industry
- Product with long shelf life and easy handling thanks to low humidity and microbiological stability.
- High mixing and dissolving capacity in liquid and solid matrices.
- It retains nutritional and sensory properties even in industrially processed formulations.
- It allows you to create healthy alternatives for demanding consumers in sweet and functional products.
Comparison of cost per unit of equivalent sweetness between yacon and commercial sugar.
To compare the cost per unit of equivalent sweetness between freeze-dried yacon and refined sugar, let's consider the previous information and economic analysis:
- 40g of freeze-dried yacon powder is functionally equivalent in sweetness to 20kg of refined sugar.
- Price for 40g of yacon: 30 soles.
- Precio 1 kg de azúcar refinada: 2.8 soles.
- Price for 20 kg of sugar: 56 soles (2.8 soles × 20).
Calculation of the cost per unit of equivalent sweetness (per kg of sugar equivalent):
| Producto | Precio por kg de dulzor equivalente (soles) |
| Yacón liofilizado | S/1.50 |
| Azúcar refinada | S/2.80 |
This shows that, despite yacon's higher unit price, its concentrated sweetening power allows for a lower cost per unit of sweetness than refined sugar, making yacon an economical option, with savings exceeding 40%, and functionally efficient for the food industry. Furthermore, it offers additional health benefits that sugar does not.
This economic comparison reinforces the competitive advantage of yacon as a natural sweetener in innovative and healthy products.
Freeze-dried Yacon Powder is an innovative and versatile ingredient that preserves the outstanding properties of fresh yacon, offering a concentrated, stable product with high nutritional and functional value, ideal for various industrial applications in food and supplements.
Product innovation and differentiation
Freeze-dried yacon provides a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index and a high content of prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides), antioxidants, and soluble fiber. This allows the industry to create functional foods and beverages aimed at health-conscious consumers, such as products for diabetics, weight management, and digestive health. Adding freeze-dried yacon enables the development of innovative and competitive product lines that stand out in the market for their superior nutritional value.
Stability and operational efficiency
Thanks to its low moisture content (<3%) and freeze-drying process, yacon powder offers a long shelf life, high microbiological stability, and ease of handling and storage. This reduces losses due to spoilage, facilitates precise dosing in industrial processes, and improves logistics. Its versatility as an ingredient in solid and liquid formulations streamlines integration into various products (chocolates, juices, dairy products), optimizing production time and costs.
Favorable economic evaluation
The economic evaluation of the use of freeze-dried yacon powder should consider that 40 grams of this powder are functionally equivalent to approximately 20 kilograms of common sugar, due to its high content of fructooligosaccharides that provide sweetness and functional properties without providing simple sugars in the same proportion.
This indicates that, in terms of functional sweetness equivalence, yacon powder has a lower cost than the same amount of sweetness provided by refined sugar, while providing additional health benefits that sugar does not offer, such as low glycemic index, prebiotic fiber, and antioxidant effects.