Fiber determination

Objective or importance:

Fiber is the part of plant material in the diet which is resistant to enzymatic digestion and
includes cellulose and non-cellulosic polysaccharides such as;

 Hemicellulose
 Pectic substances
 Gums
 Mucilages
 Non-carbohydrate component i.e. lignin.

Fiber is an important part of good nutrition. A diet high in fiber will contain fruits, vegetables,
legumes, cereals and whole grain products.

Scope:

The method makes it possible to determine fat-free organic substances in food and feedstuffs
which are insoluble in acid and alkaline media and are conventionally described as “crude
fiber”.

Basic Principle:

The defatted sample is treated successively with boiling solutions of sulphuric acid and sodium
hydroxide of specified concentrations. The residue is separated by filtration and then washed,
dried, weighed and ashed within the range of 550±15˚C temperature. The loss of weight resulting
from ashing corresponds to crude fiber present in the test sample.

Instruments and apparatus:

Labcono Fibertech digestion apparatus, crucible, muffle furnace, drying oven, filtration by
Buchner Funnel.

Reagents:

1. Sodium Hydroxide Solution, 1.25%:

2. Sulfuric Acid Solution, 1.25%
 3. Procedure:

In order to determine the crude fiber content of formerly fat free dried sample, it was estimated
by digesting in Labcono Fibertech apparatus. For the purpose, digestion of 2 g fat free sample
was carried out first with 200 mL of 1.25% H 2SO4 solution by boiling for 30 min and filtered
using suction apparatus. There were applied 3 washings of hot distilled water (150 mL) to the
residue until it was acid free. It was then boiled for 30 min using 200 mL of 1.25% NaOH
solution. Sample was filtered and made alkali free by giving 3 washings with hot water. After
filtration and washing, remaining residue was dried in drying oven at 130˚C for 2 h, then
weighed the residue in crucible, and transfer for ignition in muffle furnace then heat at
temperature of 550±15˚C till white or grey ash was obtained. Cool in desiccator and weigh.

The crude fiber percentage was estimated according to the following expression given below;

Calculations:

Fiber % (dry basis) = Dry weight of residue before ashing- Weight of residue after ashing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ×100
Weight of sample

Figure: Labcono Fibertech Apparatus