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What is konjac flour?

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Popularly known as glucomannan powder, ‘Konjac Flour’ is made from the crushed root of the konjac plant, which is native to several East Asian countries. Konjac is known for its glucomannan, a tuber-like part of the stem that grows underground. The corm is used to make a rich source of soluble dietary fibre known as glucomannan. This flour is known to be high in fibre with no carbohydrates in it and has been linked to a bounty of health benefits. One might wonder about its popularity, but it isn’t something new and has been used for a long time as “glucomannan powder” in Southeast Asian cuisine. It is being popularized by people across the world as konjac flour helps in bowel movements, lowering plasma cholesterol while improving metabolism. Also, konjac flour is commonly used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in a variety of foods. Due to its unique properties, konjac flour is used as a substitute for traditional wheat flour in gluten-free and low-carb recipes.

What is glucomannan?

Glucomannan is an extract of konjac (Amorphophallus konjac) and is a source of water absorbing beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps regulate digestion speed, regulate blood sugar, and increase nutrient absorption. While glucomannan is high in dietary fiber, it is very low in calories and contains almost no proteins or vitamins.

Konjac flour applications

Food Application

-MEAT PRODUCTS

Konjac flour is used as a thickener, a stabilizer, a gelling agent, and a water-retention agent between 0.2% and 0.5%. It provides better cohesiveness, sliceability and mouthfeel to meat products such as meat balls,s nuggets, sausages,burgers, ham etc.

It also increases the water retention and thus increasing the production yield.

Similar advantages are obtained for Pet food.

-SNACK

Konjac flour can make ice cream have a smooth and delicate texture, enhance stickiness and improve the consistency and gloss of candies. It thickens pudding, enhancing its texture for a better taste.

 

-BAKERY

Konjac flour prevents the retrogradation of starch and enhances the water retention and the freeze-thaw stability. The freshness and shelf life of bakery products and pastry are extended.

 

-KONJAC-BASED PRODUCTS

Konjac-based products are commonly eaten in China, Japan and South-East Asia countries. Konjac forms a heat-stable gel with a unique texture, in alkali condition in

presence of salt.

There is a wide range of konjac-based products, such as konnyaku (konjac tofu), shirataki (konjac noodles), and imitating food for vegetarian (vegan meat-imitating products).

 

Pharmaceutical Application:

KONJAC HAS SEVERAL APPLICATIONS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Konjac improves the suspension of active pharmaceutical ingredients in drug preparations.

It is a good substitute for gelatin in hard and soft gel capsules.

As an excipient, it also controls the delivery of drugs.

Konjac is used in the preparation of surgical jellies.

 

DIETARY PROPERTIES

Konjac is used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years.

It has several health benefits as below:

– Konjac is a low carb dietary fiber that lowers the intake of fat and provides a feeling of satiety. Therefore, konjac helps in losing and/or controlling weight.

– Several studies on animals and human show that konjac helps lower the cholesterol.

– As a vegetal fiber, konjac helps in healing constipation and improving the digestion.

Therefore, konjac is sold as a health supplement in many countries.

 

Industry Application

  1. The glucomannan solution of konjac possesses thickening, stability, emulsification, suspension, gelling, and film-forming properties, making it suitable for the production of edible films, preservation films, biodegradable films, and packaging materials. Additionally, it is used in the production of natural adhesives and environmentally friendly interior and exterior wall coatings.

 

  1. Due to the higher viscosity of konjac gum solution compared to all plant gums, it is employed in the construction and paper industries to enhance the strength and toughness of products.

 

  1. In the textile industry, konjac gum solution serves as an adhesive.

 

  1. In the petroleum industry, konjac glucomannan can be utilized as a drilling mud treatment agent and pressure fluid injection agent, effectively improving engineering quality and construction progress.

 

Benefits of Konjac Flour:

  • May Help With Weight Management:

A pivotal 2017 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition demonstrated that glucomannan significantly aids weight loss efforts by promoting a feeling of fullness, which can lead to a reduced energy intake. This study highlights glucomannan’s role as a beneficial dietary fiber for those looking to manage their weight effectively.

The more details please kindly check below link:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effects-of-gelled-konjac-glucomannan-fibre-on-appetite-and-energy-intake-in-healthy-individuals-a-randomised-crossover-trial/F624117B995B885A7771089C4D725D57

  • May Reduce Cholesterol and Blood Sugar:

In 2008, research underscored konjac flour’s potential to lower cholesterol levels, making it an excellent choice for maintaining cardiovascular health. The soluble fiber in konjac flour helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition by ensuring a slow, steady release of glucose into the bloodstream.

 

The more details please kindly check below link:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7872224/

  • May Relieve Constipation:

A 2006 study found that konjac glucomannan (KGM) can alleviate constipation, attributing its effectiveness to the high fiber content that enhances bowel movement regularity. This makes konjac flour a natural, gentle solution for improving digestive health.

 

The more details please kindly check below link:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17027233/

Products made from konjac flour

For enthusiasts of noodles and pasta, konjac flour based products offer a guilt free, fiber rich dining experience. Additionally, its gluten free and low carb characteristics make konjac flour an ideal substitute for traditional wheat flour in numerous recipes.

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