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ENZYME SUBSTRATES CARBOHYDRATES CHEMICALS/EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
MEASUREMENT OF DIETARY FIBER
Overview of Total Dietary Fiber Measurement
In its simplest terms, dietary fiber content in a sample is
measured in the laboratory by what is called an enzymatic-
gravimetric method.
After defatting, a food sample is treated with enzymes that
mimic the digestive process in the human small intestine.
Digestible carbohydrates are broken down into simple
sugars and removed from the sample by precipitation and
filtration. This mimics absorption of these sugars in the
body.
The non-digestible precipitate contains the dietary fiber but
also contains protein and inorganic material. These should
not be included in dietary fiber so protein and inorganic
material must be measured separately and subtracted
from the weight.
Commonly Used Total Dietary Fiber
Methods
1) Prosky Method (AOAC 985.29)1
Introduced in 1985. Uses bacterial α-amylase and
harsh conditions (pH 8.2, 100ºC) for the enzymatic
incubation step. This method does not measure all
components of dietary fiber as currently defined by
CODEX Alimentarius (international regulatory body
for food ingredients). Most resistant starch and all
non-digestible oligosaccharides are not included which results in an underestimation of dietary fiber.
2) McCleary Method (AOAC 2009.01)2-4
Introduced in 2009. Uses pancreatic α-amylase and
conditions much closer to physiological (pH 6,
37ºC) for the enzymatic incubation step. This
method measures all components of dietary fiber as
currently defined by CODEX Alimentarius.
 3) Rapid Integrated Total Dietary Fiber5
Introduced in 2015. Closely resembles AOAC
2009.01. This method addresses the minor
limitations that have been identified in the McCleary
Method (AOAC 2009.01) and it is envisaged that an
Measurement of Dietary Fiber
interlaboratory evaluation will be conducted in
2016.

Dietary Fiber Health Benefits

Dietary Fiber Regulation

Dietary Fiber Publications

Overview of Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fiber measurement

Dietary Fiber Reagent Quality
and Purity
In certain cases, it is desirable to know what type of dietary fiber is present in a sample. Modifications to the standard
Total Dietary Fiber methods (an additional filtration step) exist and these allow the dietary fiber content to be divided into soluble and
Assay Kits insoluble dietary fiber (SDF and IDF). In both cases, all other steps in the method remain unchanged.

Total Dietary Fiber

Integrated Total Dietary Fiber

Kit

Rapid Integrated Total Dietary

Fiber Assay Kit

Dietary Fiber Related

Assay Kits
Resistant Starch

Total Starch

Beta Glucan Mixed Linkage

Available Carbohydrates

Fructan

Fructan HK
Dietary Fiber Measurement – more detail

There are many different chemical entities that are classed as dietary fiber and there are distinct analytical methods to
measure each of these. The methods approved by CODEX Alimentarius for the measurement of dietary fiber are
shown below. Methods highlighted in green were developed by Megazyme (5 out of the 15 CODEX approved
methods).
'Double Counting of Dietary Fiber Components'

An inherent problem exists with the measurement of dietary fiber by the Prosky/Lee methods (AOAC 985.29/991.43).
These methods measure some components of dietary fiber in an incomplete fashion.

The diagram below attempts to highlight the issue.

If Prosky/Lee Methods are used to measure dietary fiber, Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), Raffinose and Stachyose
are not measured at all while Polydextrose, Resistant Maltodextrins, Inulin, FOS, Pectin, Arabinogalactan and
Resistant Starch are partially measured. This poses a challenge for food science analysts because if, for example,
Resistant Starch is measured using AOAC 2002.02 and the value obtained is added to the value for Total Dietary
Fiber measured using AOAC 985.29, this results in a quantity of resistant starch being ‘double counted’ leading to an
artificially high value for dietary fiber.

The solution to this problem is to replace the Prosky/Lee methods (AOAC 985.29/AOAC 991.43) with the McCleary
methods (AOAC 2009.01/2011.25). These methods correctly measure all components of dietary fiber.
Dietary Fiber Methods: Prosky (985.29) versus McCleary (2009.01) in detail

By examining the figure below we can identify the major similarities and differences between the Prosky and McCleary
methods for total dietary fiber. Both methods involve the use of a 1 g sample and following an enzymatic digestion
step, the non-digested material is precipitated and the protein and ash contents are determined separately and
subtracted to calculate HMWDF.

The differences between the enzymatic treatment steps are evident. The starch content in a sample is gelatinised
during the Prosky amylase incubation while this is avoided under the McCleary amylase incubation. This difference is
crucial as gelatinisation removes the ‘resistant’ quality of resistant starch – an important component in dietary fiber.
This leads to underestimation of total dietary fiber in certain samples using the Prosky method.

The other major difference between the Prosky and McCleary methods is the inclusion of the quantification of non-
digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) by HPLC. Non-digestible oligosaccharides are not measured in the Prosky
method and this leads to underestimation of total dietary fiber in certain samples.
Practicalities of performing AOAC 2009.01/2011.25 in the laboratory

As a routine procedure, AOAC 2009.01 is not difficult to perform but analysts unfamiliar with the topic may find the
prospect somewhat daunting. Megazyme provides an individual data booklet for every assay kit sold that outlines
clear step-by-step guidelines on how to conduct the relevant experimental protocol. Useful tips and warnings on
potential ‘stumbling blocks’ are provided at key points throughout.

K-TDFR can be used for the measurement of total dietary fiber according to AOAC methods 985.29, 991.43, 991.42
and 993.19. The data sheet for this product can also be found here.
K-INTDF can be used for the measurement of total dietary fiber according to AOAC methods 2009.01 and 2011.25.
The data sheet for this product can also be found here. Furthermore, an instructional video has been prepared that
clearly demonstrates every step in the process.

K-RINTDF is a new product launched in 2015 to enable customers to perform the Rapid Integrated Dietary
Fiber method. This method addresses the minor limitations that have emerged in the use of AOAC 2009.901/2011.25.
Interlaboratory evaluation of this method will be carried out in 2016. It is discussed in detail below the instructional
video.

Integrated Total Dietary Fiber Assay Kit

DVDs can be requested free of charge by simply adding a note to your online order.

To choose a chapter, play the video and select the required chapter from the options on the video display.

Chapter 1: Kit Details

Chapter 2: Principle of the Assay
Chapter 3: Kit Contents
Chapter 4: Reagent Preparation
Chapter 5: Weighing of Samples, Addition of Buffer plus Amylase & AMG
Chapter 6: Addition of Tris Base and Inactivation of Amylase & AMG
Chapter 7: Incubation with Protease
Chapter 8A: Determination of HMWDF & LMWSDF
(i): pH Adjustment & Addition of D-Sorbitol & Ethanol
(ii): Filtration & Recovery of HMWDF & LMWSDF
(iii): Ash & Protein Determination
(iv): Evaporation of Aqueous Ethanol & Recovery of LMWSDF
(vi): Desalting of Samples with Ion Exchange Resin
(vii): Liquid Chromatography of Desalted Samples
Chapter 8B: Determination of IDF, HMWDF & LMWSDF
(i): pH Adjustment of the Incubation Mixture and Addition of D-Sorbitol
(ii): Filtration and Recovery of IDF, HMWDF & LMWSDF
Chapter 9: Calculation of Dietary Fiber Content

The development of AOAC 2009.01 was originally reported in 20075. It is unsurprising that since that time, through the
application of this method to the entire range of food and beverage samples available, a number of limitations have
been identified, including:

the incubation time with pancreatic α-amylase (PAA) plus amyloglucosidase (AMG) is 16 h, in line with
published methods for measurement of RS. However a more likely time of residence of food in the small
intestine is ~ 4 h.
the production of small amounts of resistant maltodextrins on hydrolysis of certain starches. These
oligosaccharides are resistant to further hydrolysis in the analytical method, but are readily hydrolysed by
the mucosal α-glucosidase complex of the small intestine – thus they are an artefact generated by the
analytical method and should not be included in DF.
suggested underestimation of Resistance Starch 4, phosphate cross-linked starch.
 underestimation of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) using the HPLC system chosen (Waters Sugar-
Pak® column). Fructotriose coelutes in this method with disaccharides and thus is not measured.
use of sodium azide in the incubation buffer to prevent microbial contamination over the 16 h incubation
period. This is undesirable given that sodium azide is notably toxic.

In ongoing research within Megazyme, each of these challenges has been addressed leading to the development of a
Rapid Integrated Total Dietary Fiber Method (K-RINTDF). In this method, the incubation time with PAA + AMG was
reduced to 4 h in line with likely time of residence of food in the human small intestine. To obtain the same degree of
hydrolysis for a range of control starches/resistant starches as obtained with AOAC Method 2009.01 in 16 h, the levels
of both PAA and AMG needed to be increased substantially (PAA from 2 to 5 KU/assay and AMG from 0.14 to 1.7
KU/assay).

Under these conditions the DF values obtained for most samples were very similar to those obtained with AOAC
Method 2009.01. However, higher (more physiologically relevant) values were obtained for certain phosphate cross-
linked starch samples such as Fibersym® and for native high amylose maize starch (e.g. Hylon VII®). In addition,
under these revised incubation conditions, the problematic resistant maltodextrins were not formed on hydrolysis of
starch. To achieve complete separation of fructotriose (in FOS) from disaccharides, HPLC was performed on a
TSKgel G2500PWxL® gel permeation column from Tosoh Biosciences LLC (as recommended by Matsutani Chemical
Company) instead of on a Waters Corporation Sugar-Pak® column. Glycerol was used as the internal standard in
place of sorbitol, because on the TSKgel G2500PWxL® column, sorbitol coelutes with glucose. This resulted in a
requirement to exclude glycerol from enzyme preparations, which has been accomplished for the Rapid Integrated
Total Dietary Fiber assay kit (K-RINTDF). Finally, with the shorter incubation time, microbial infection of the incubation
solutions is not a concern, which means that sodium azide can be excluded from the incubation buffer. These results
were published recently.5

In conclusion, the new Rapid Integrated Total Dietary Fiber method (K-RINTDF) removes all of the limitations that
have been identified with AOAC Method 2009.01. It is expected that this method will undergo interlaboratory
evaluation in 2016.

References:

1Prosky, L., Asp, N-G., Furda, I., DeVries, J. W., Schweizer, T. F. & Harland, B. F. (1985). Determination of total dietary

fiber in foods and food products: Collaborative study. J. AOAC Chem., 68(4), 677-679. Link to article

2McCleary, B. V., DeVries, J. W., Rader, J. I., Cohen, G., Prosky, L., Mugford, D. C. & Okuma, K. (2010).

Determination of total dietary fiber (CODEX definition) by enzymatic-gravimetric method and liquid chromatography:
Collaborative study. J. AOAC Int., (93)1, 221-233. Link to article

3McCleary, B. V., Sloane, N., Draga, A. & Lazewska, I. (2013). Measurement of Total Dietary Fiber Using AOAC

Method 2009.01 (AACC International Approved Method 32-45.01): Evaluation and Updates. Cereal Chem., 90, 396-
414. Link to article

4McCleary, B. V. (2007) An integrated procedure for the measurement of total dietary fibre (including resistant starch),

non-digestible oligosaccharides and available carbohydrates. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 389(1), 291-308. Link to article

5McCleary, B. V., Sloane, N., & Draga, A (2015). Determination of total dietary fibre and available carbohydrates: A

rapid integrated procedure that simulates in vivo digestion. Starch‐Stärke 67 (9-10), 860–883. Link to article
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