CARBOHYDRATE CHANGES IN CHICORY (CICHORIUM-INTYBUS L VAR FOLIOSUM) DURING GROWTH AND STORAGE

The levels of sucrose and fructose in chicory (Cichorium intybus L. va r. foliosum) roots remain about the same over the growing season while levels of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) and fructans incre ase. At the onset of cooler fall temperatures and especially during st orage, sucrose and fructose contents increase. Concurrently, a second fructan series that contains no glucose (inulo-n-ose; n = 2-18) accumu lates, while at the same time, fructans (inulin) with a high degree of polymerization (DP) and TNC decrease. Chicory leaves contain low conc entrations of fructans. Only trace amounts were found in the leaf lami na but leaf petioles, especially in the basal region, contained higher levels. The inulo-n-ose series up to DP 4 (inulotetraose) is also det ectable in leaves.