Dietary Fiber Testing Services

Dietary fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods. Dietary fiber, as the seventh largest nutrient for humans, has strong physiological functions. Different types of dietary fiber have been shown to be beneficial for laxative, lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic. The determination of dietary fiber content in food is of practical significance, which can help people to take in more targeted and ensure the body's health. High-fiber foods are very popular in developed countries such as Europe, America and Japan. Food manufacturers invest a lot of research and resources in ways to increase the dietary fiber content of their products. Various types of dietary fiber foods have been manufactured and sold commercially. In this production and sales process, a reliable and accurate method is needed to measure the dietary fiber in the product and use it for labeling.

Our experts can provide you with comprehensive dietary fiber testing services. We strictly abide by the quality assurance/quality control plans and regulatory requirements of each country and region to provide you with support. Including but not limited to the following standards and methods: ISO, FDA/BAM, ASTM, AOAC, EU regulations (1169/2011), LFGB, DGCCRF, DM 21/03/1973, JFSL, GB/T and SN.

Dietary Fiber Testing Services at Alfa Chemistry

• Soluble dietary fiber (SDF) testing
• Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) testing
• Total dietary fiber (TDF) testing: Indigestible sediment contains dietary fiber, but also protein and inorganic substances. These should not be included in the total dietary fiber, so protein and inorganic substances must be measured in a separate process and subtracted from the weight.
• Dietary fiber composition testing

Dietary Fiber Testing Platform

According to different customers and different testing requirements, we can customize exclusive dietary fiber testing solutions for customers.

1. Enzyme-gravimetric method

This method is recognized as an important method for determining the content of total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber in the current research field. With the development of the times, detection methods are constantly improving around the AOAC method. The main principle is to use three enzymes (α-amylase, protease and amyloglucosidase) to digest the sample (delipidate if necessary) to remove starch and protein. Any solid particles that are not in solution after digestion are regarded as insoluble dietary fiber, which is filtered out and subjected to gravimetric analysis. Then ethanol is used to precipitate the remaining soluble dietary fiber. The content of soluble dietary fiber is judged by weighing after drying the sediment. The ash and protein content of all residues are corrected.

• The Prosky / Lee method (AOAC 985.29/991.43) was introduced in 1985. The enzyme incubation step is carried out under harsh conditions (pH 8.2, 100°C) with bacterial α-amylase. Most resistant starches and all indigestible oligosaccharides cannot be measured by this method.
• In 2009, an improved McCleary method was introduced (AOAC 2009.01 / 2011.25). In the enzyme incubation process, pancreatic α-amylase is used, and the conditions are closer to physiological (pH 6, 37°C).
• In 2015, the method of rapid synthesis of total dietary fiber (AOAC 2017.16) was launched. This method solves the small limitations identified in the McCleary method and is the only method to accurately measure the total components of dietary fiber (including all forms of resistant starch).

2. Washing method

• Acid washing method. This method can remove the digestible components of dietary fiber, namely starch, protein, etc. It can also avoid damage to other substances and obtain the corresponding acidic fiber to judge the content of dietary fiber in the food;
• Neutral washing method. Dropping neutral detergent into food can decompose starch and protein to obtain neutral fiber such as cellulose. This method has obvious effects on the removal of protein and can more accurately measure the dietary fiber in food.

3. Enzyme-chemical method

The Englyst method and Uppsala method determine the dietary fiber content by measuring the composition of substances. After the sample undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, the hydrolyzed components can be measured by colorimetry, gas-liquid chromatography and other methods according to specific conditions, which has strong flexibility.

Acceptable Matrices: All foods and food products.

At Alfa Chemistry, our analytical scientists are experienced and knowledgeable in testing and analyzing the nutritional content of various dietary fiber foods. We also have a comprehensive equipment guarantee. If you have any questions or specific needs, do not hesitate to contact us.