Jerusalem Artichoke Biomass Production and Utilization

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a hardy perennial crop valued for its dual yield of aerial biomass and inulin-rich tubers. Cultivation on marginal and temperate lands has demonstrated rapid establishment, low input requirements and resilience to drought and salinity. Aerial biomass can be harvested repeatedly for fodder, leaf protein concentrate or lignocellulosic conversion, while tubers serve as a carbohydrate feedstock for food, feed and biorefinery operations. Inulin, an indigestible fructan, is extracted from tubers for prebiotic and fermentative applications, enabling the production of bioethanol, organic acids and high-value platform chemicals. Integrated cropping systems compare annual tuber harvests with perennial leaf harvests to optimise energy yields and soil health, and management practices such as intercropping and reduced tillage further enhance sustainability. Industrial processing employs enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation to convert both carbohydrate and lignin fractions into fuels, succinic acid, and bioactive phytochemicals. Beyond energy and chemical production, Jerusalem artichoke contributes to ecological restoration through phytoremediation and provides germplasm for sunflower breeding. Its adaptability, high biomass productivity and versatile end-uses position it as a strategic crop in circular bioeconomy frameworks worldwide.

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Jerusalem Artichoke Biomass Production and Utilization publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in jerusalem artichoke biomass production and utilization across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Inulin: A fructan polysaccharide stored in tubers, used as a prebiotic and fermentable feedstock for biofuels and organic acids.

Biorefinery: An integrated process facility that converts biomass into fuels, power, heat and value-added chemicals.

Polyploidy: The condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes, common in Jerusalem artichoke and relevant to its genetic diversity.

Silage: Fermented, high-moisture stored fodder produced by lactic acid bacteria under anaerobic conditions.

References

1. Haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome of hexaploid Jerusalem artichoke provides insights into its origin, evolution, and inulin metabolism. Plant Communications (2023).
2. The influence of low-temperature resistant lactic acid bacteria on the enhancement of quality and the microbial community in winter Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) silage on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).
3. Jerusalem Artichoke: Energy Balance in Annual and Perennial Cropping Systems—A Case Study in North-Eastern Poland. Energies (2024).
4. Recent advances in bio-based multi-products of agricultural Jerusalem artichoke resources. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts (2018).
5. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): A Versatile and Sustainable Crop for Renewable Energy Production in Europe. Agronomy (2019).
6. Economically Viable Components from Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) in a Biorefinery Concept. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2015).