Fiber

The term “dietary fiber” was coined in 1953 as a broader definition than the “crude fiber” of animal nutrition, and a shorthand term for the constituents of the plant cell wall carbohydrates and associated components. In 1976, the dietary fiber definition was broadened to include all indigestible dietary polysaccharides in addition to the other fiber components. Dietary fiber consists of both soluble and insoluble forms. The traditional methods for determining total dietary fiber quantitate most of the dietary fiber in foods; however, as additional sources of dietary fiber were studied, additional specialized methods were adopted. As the science has evolved and more specialty fibers are being used, the need for an updated method for total dietary fiber to include all components is readily apparent.

Therefore, a method designed to match the Codex Alimentarius Definition of Fiber was recently approved by AOAC International, AOAC 2009.01, “Total Dietary Fiber (CODEX Definition) by Enzymatic-Gravimetric Method and Liquid Chromatography.” The new method is coauthored by Medallion’s Senior Technical Manager Dr. Jon DeVries. The primary differences between AOAC 2009.01 and the traditional method, AOAC 991.43 include 1) AOAC 2009.01 uses an enzyme digest protocol more consistent with the human digestive system and 2) AOAC 2009.01 utilizes liquid chromatography to quantify low-molecular weight soluble dietary fibers (resistant oligosaccharides).

Why Trust the Minds of Medallion?

Medallion has been a leader in Fiber testing since we opened for business over 35 years ago. Not only do we provide superior testing capabilities to our customers and assist with interpretation of results, but we have consistently been involved with developing and validating the necessary, state of the art, methods for testing. Our early and continued involvement with the methods processes assures our customers that the appropriate and relevant assays will be applied to their samples. It further assures that we are in a position to help our customers select the appropriate method or methods and, if necessary, provide assistance in understanding the testing outcome.

Testing Information:

Medallion offers comprehensive testing options for Fiber determination of a product. In addition to determining the dietary fiber content of foods and food products, these tests can be used to determine purity of a fiber ingredient and often can be used to determine the recovery of a fiber ingredient after it has been incorporated into a food product, i.e. a measure of control of the production process, or the stability of the fiber ingredient in the product or during processing. Ultimately, this information provides the data you need for substantiating claims and labeling your product.

Medallion Test Name	AOAC Method	What this test reports (All results are reported in units of percent by weight as received basis.)	Why this test is chosen…	Comments
Total Dietary Fiber	991.43	Total Dietary Fiber (this number includes all Insoluble and soluble fiber plus ~15% of any inulin that is in the product)	To support dietary fiber claims.	If you have inulin or psyllium in your product and you do NOT want it included in the reported values for TDF, then please indicate this before testing
Total, Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fiber	991.43	Total Dietary Fiber, Insoluble Fiber and Soluble Fiber (including ~15% of any inulin that is in the product)	To support dietary fiber claims and calorie claims adjusted for insoluble fiber	If you have inulin or psyllium in your product and you do NOT want it included in the reported values for TDF or Soluble Fiber, then please indicate this before testing.
Total Dietary Fiber (CODEX Definition)	2009.01	Total Dietary Fiber (this number includes all Insoluble and soluble fiber including low-molecular weight soluble dietary fibers (resistant oligosaccharides).	To support dietary fiber claims.	Please note this test will provide you with only the a total dietary fiber number.
Total Dietary Fiber with Resistant Oligosaccharides	2001.03	Total Dietary Fiber (as above) AND Resistant Oligosaccharides	To support dietary fiber claims in products that contain significant amounts of resistant oligosaccharides.	If you have inulin in your product and you do NOT want it included in the reported values for Res. Olig and TDF, then please indicate this before testing.
Total, Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fiber with Resistant Oligosaccharides	2001.03	Total Dietary Fiber, Insoluble Fiber and Soluble Fiber (as above) AND Resistant Oligosaccharides	To support dietary fiber claims and calorie claims adjusted for insoluble fiber in products that contain significant amounts of resistant oligosaccharides.	If you have inulin in your product and you do NOT want it included in the reported values for Res. Olig and TDF or Soluble Fiber, then please indicate this before testing.
β-Glucan	995.16	β-Glucan	To support β-Glucan based claims, such as heart health for oat and barley products.
Fructans (Fructo-oligosaccharides)	997.08	Fructans	To track accuracy of formulation, processing losses or other formula issues on samples containing added fructan ingredients.	If you have fructans or psyllium in your product and you do NOT want it included in the reported values for TDF, then please indicate this before testing.
Polydextrose	2000.11	Polydextrose	To check the accuracy of formulation, processing losses or other formula issues on samples containing added polydextrose ingredients.	Samples must be accompanied by the following information: 1. An estimate of the polydextrose content in your sample. Samples without estimates will require a longer turn-around-time. 2. A 25 gram sample of the pure polydextrose ingredient present in your sample. If this polydextrose standard is not made available to us, we can only use our in-house standards. If we have your brand available, our lot numbers may not match those of the ingredients used, which could cause results to vary significantly. 3. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) for that lot number that includes the moisture. Samples without moisture content will require a longer turn-around-time.
Resistant Starch (RS2 and RS3 only)	2002.02	Resistant Starch	This resistant starch result does not necessarily relate to final dietary content of foods and food products. It is primarily useful for screening ingredients.	This method measures RS2 (granular) and RS3 (retrograded) starches. RS1 starches are not detected by this method. Applicability of this method to RS4 (chemically-cross linked) type starches must be determined on a case-by-case basis.