[Comparative study of analytical methods for determination of dietary fiber insoluble fraction, in starch rich foods]

Abstract

The objective of this work was to compare two enzymatic methods for determination of the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in starch-rich foods. The samples analyzed were foods from the legume group, cereals and derivatives, roots, tubers and similars. The results obtained by the Robertson and Van Soest method showed markedly higher values of the NDF fraction when compared with those found following the procedure of Mendez et al. The percentage differences in NDF values found between the two methods were not constant in the food samples analyzed. These differences were not related with the starch content present in the samples nor with the type of processing to which the foods were subjected. The Mendez et al. method is recommended for the samples tested.