Are Agricultural Plant Products and the Residues Indigestive Fibers?

Abstract

Efficient enzymatic digestion for soybeans, soybean milk residue (okara), and coffee beans was carried out by a selected food-processing cellulase or pectinase. Enzymatic digestion based on a consideration of cells and cell-wall structures brought about efficient digestion. Cell-walls, components and organs of plant are very complicated. Starch, protein and oil are stocked in the particles of plant cells, and the residues after their extraction are certainly indigestible fibers. These enzymatic digestions are considered to be difficult; however, if the reaction order, pre-treatment conditions, and selection of the enzymes and the combinations are investigated, the digestions will achieve a high yield. The efficient digestion of the cells of soybeans and coffee beans was carried out as model cases. The solution approaches and the components of the cells are shown and discussed.