Changes in Polymerization during Development

Fructans are found within the vacuole, and catabolic and anabolic enzymes and alterations occur therein (Carpita et al., 1991 Wiemken et al., 1986). Alterations in the fructans require the input of energy, most of which is thought to be associated with the recycling of glucose to fructose in the cytoplasm. It has been estimated that the cost is between 4 and 8% of the total mass of assimilates (Edelman, 1963 Meijer and Mathijssen, 1991). 

A relatively small amount of reducing inulo- -oses, fructans without a terminal glucose (Ernst et al., 1996), are formed from fructosyl transfer from inulin to free fructose by 1-FFT. In chicory, they are thought to appear when fructose accumulates during fructan breakdown and 1-FFT activity is still high (Van den Ende and Van Laere, 1996). A similar mechanism is probably operative in Jerusalem artichoke and responsible for the small amounts of inulo- -oses formed (Saengthongpinit and Sajjaanantakul, 2005). 

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