Fiber is a type of carbohydrate, but unlike other carbs, it cannot be brake down into digestible sugar molecules. Therefore, fiber passes through the intestinal tract relatively intact. However, on its digestion, fiber does a lot of work. Fiber has an important function in digestion, good metabolism, weight management, blood sugar control, and cholesterol maintenance. It has also been linked to longevity and decreasing the risk of cancer. Children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day for good health.

We know that there is some fiber in food like crude fiber and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber comes in two varieties, both beneficial to health.

Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, can help lower glucose levels as well as help lower blood cholesterol. Foods with soluble fiber include oatmeal, nuts, beans, apples and blueberries.

Insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water, can help food move through your digestive system, promoting regularity and helping prevent constipation. Foods with insoluble fibers include wheat, whole wheat bread, brown rice, legumes, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.

How SIG can help

SIG Laboratory can perform soluble fiber and insoluble fiber analysis on a wide variety of matrices, such as, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and so on. Our tests in SIG Lab also ascertain whether the vitamins are at the appropriate levels, as specified by national and international regulations. This allows your product to accurately claim the fiber content.

The types of fiber that can be tested in the SIG laboratory are: 

• Crude Fiber
• Dietary Fiber
• Soluble Fiber
• Insoluble Fiber
• Fruit Fiber
• Fructan (FOS-Inulin)
• GOS (Galacto Oligo-saccharides)

Method of Analysis

Gravimetric analysis is the most likely technique to be used to determine soluble and insoluble fiber. We use an AOAC based method in determining crude fiber content. In addition, we were able to use the AOAC 991.43 method in analyzing soluble and insoluble fiber. SIG laboratory is also able to use the latest method according to AOAC 2017.16 in determining the content of dietary fiber which in the AOAC 991.43 method of dietary fiber such as FOS, GOS, maltodextrin cannot be quantized as soluble dietary fiber.