Measurement of insoluble, soluble, and total fiber content

Dietary fiber is an essential component of both human and animal food, playing a crucial role in digestive health, metabolism, and satiety. It is primarily divided into three categories: insoluble fiber , which promotes intestinal transit; soluble fiber , involved in regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels; and total fiber , which represents the sum of all insoluble fibers. Quantifying these different fractions is a major challenge for product formulation, nutritional labeling, and the validation of health claims.

Analytical methods for fiber quantification

The measurement of insoluble, soluble and total fiber is based on standardized methods, guaranteeing reliable and reproducible results:

• Gravimetric method : after enzymatic digestion simulating the digestive process, the fiber fractions are separated, dried and weighed.
• AOAC and Codex enzymatic methods : they define international reference protocols for the evaluation of dietary fiber in complex matrices.

These standardized methods ensure regulatory recognition of results, which is essential for the food and animal nutrition industries. They adhere to the same rigorous scientific standards as other nutritional analyses offered by YesWeLab, such as protein total carbohydrate , and calorie calculation .

Industrial and regulatory applications

The measurement of soluble, insoluble and total fibers is relevant to several strategic sectors:

• Agri-food : quality control of flours, cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables and processed products.
• Nutraceuticals : standardization of fiber-enriched food supplements, with promotion of claims "high in fiber" or "source of fiber".
• Animal nutrition : optimization of animal feed formulations, taking into account the effects of fiber on digestion and zootechnical performance.
• Research and development : studying the impact of fibers on metabolic health, the gut microbiota, or the formulation of innovative products.

These analyses are also essential to meet consumer expectations regarding nutritional transparency and health benefits.

Matrices analyzed for fiber dosage

The test is applicable to a wide variety of matrices: raw plant extracts, flour and legume powders, food supplements, finished products (biscuits, cereals, fortified drinks), and animal feed formulations. The methods are adapted according to the matrix to guarantee reliable and representative results.

Compliance and traceability issues

European regulations (INCO Regulation No. 1169/2011) require precise declaration of dietary fiber on nutrition labels. Fiber content analysis allows for: verification of the actual claimed fiber content, justification of nutritional claims ("high in fiber" from 6 g/100 g), comparison of consistency between different production batches, and enhanced traceability of food and nutraceutical formulations. This approach complements other key nutritional parameters such as sodium and total fat.

YesWeLab's expertise in fiber dosage

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of over 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, selected for their expertise and accreditations (ISO 17025, COFRAC, etc.). Our teams support each client in defining the most suitable analytical protocol, based on the matrix and regulatory requirements. Thanks to our digital platform, you can easily manage your analytical needs: request a quick quote, track your results online, and receive them within optimized timeframes. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and research firms have entrusted us with their nutritional analyses to ensure the accuracy of their labeling and enhance the value of their products.

Take action

Do you want to know the soluble, insoluble, and total fiber content of your food or animal feed samples? Entrust your analyses to YesWeLab for reliable, standards-compliant results. Request a quote online now for your dietary fiber analysis.