Dietary Fiber Method Research Articles

Effects of manufactured soluble dietary fiber from Quercus mongolica on hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and lipoprotein lipase activities in epididymal adipose tissue of rats fed high cholesterol diets.

This study investigated the effect of a manufactured soluble dietary fiber on lipid metabolism in rats fed high cholesterol diets. Soluble dietary fiber was prepared from wood chips of oak (Quercus mongolica). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 +/- 10 g were randomly assigned to either a normal diet or five high cholesterol diets containing 1% cholesterol and different fiber supplements. The high cholesterol groups were subdivided into fiber-free diet (FF), 5% pectin (5P), 10% pectin (10P), 5% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (5QM), and 10% manufactured soluble dietary fiber (10QM) groups. Total serum cholesterol concentrations in all soluble dietary fiber-supplemented groups were lower than in the FF group. The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration in the FF group was significantly lower, compared with the normal group, but was increased in groups supplemented with soluble dietary fiber. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and the atherogenic index had the same tendency as total cholesterol concentration. Compared with the FF group, in the 5P, 5QM, 10P, and 10QM groups hepatic triglyceride concentrations were 12%, 16%, 20%, and 24% lower, respectively, and hepatic cholesterol concentrations were 48%, 52%, 52%, and 58% lower, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in the soluble fiber groups was significantly higher than in the FF groups, but lower than the normal group. When hepatic tissue was observed under a light microscope, the FF group had completely formed lipomas in the hepatic tissue, which led to fat deposits and then a fatty liver. The size and number of lipomas were lower in the soluble dietary fiber-fed groups, as compared with the group not fed dietary fiber. In conclusion, improvements in lipid metabolism were observed as a result of the manufactured soluble dietary fiber from the oak chips, and were similar to that seen for pectin. The preparation method for the soluble dietary fiber from oak chips successfully produced a functional soluble fiber.

Identification of lucerne stem cell wall traits related to in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility

Genetic improvement of forage digestibility, especially utilizing marker assisted selection and recombinant DNA techniques, requires identification of specific biochemical traits and associated genes that impact digestibility. We undertook a study to identify cell wall (CW) traits of lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) stems that were consistently and strongly correlated with in vitro neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility, a measurement that has been shown to correlate with animal performance. Spring and summer harvested lucerne stem material, for 2 years, from 24 individual plants in each of two germplasm sources were analyzed for 16 and 96 h in vitro NDF digestibility, and cell wall concentration and composition (monosaccharide constituents of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin; and Klason lignin (KL)) by the Uppsala dietary fibre method using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationships among these cell wall traits and with in vitro NDF digestibility. Concentrations of the pectin monosaccharide components were all negatively correlated ( r=−0.73 to −0.94) with total cell wall concentration. In contrast, the three most abundant cell wall components glucose (Glc), xylose (Xyl) and Klason lignin were not correlated, or only weakly positively correlated ( r<0.35), with cell wall concentration. Cell wall concentration was consistently negatively correlated ( r=−0.60 to −0.94) with both 16 and 96 h in vitro NDF digestibility. In contrast, Klason lignin concentration was only marginally correlated ( r<0.30) with 16 h in vitro NDF digestibility, but strongly negatively correlated ( r=−0.71 to −0.74) with 96 h in vitro NDF digestibility. This is consistent with previous reports which show that lignin affects potential extent of digestion, but not rate. Cell wall glucose and xylose concentrations were inconsistently correlated with fibre digestibility. The monosaccharide components of pectin were consistently positively correlated ( r=0.54–0.90) with in vitro NDF digestibility, except for 96 h in vitro NDF digestibility of spring harvested stems. Growth environment (year) and germplasm source had only minor impacts on the preceding correlation patterns, whereas spring versus summer harvests accounted for the inconsistencies observed among correlations for cell wall traits. The results of this study indicate that genetic improvement of fibre digestibility of lucerne stems should target genes that reduce total cell wall concentration, perhaps by reducing the rate of xylem tissue deposition during maturation, and reduce Klason lignin and increase pectin concentrations in the cell wall to improve potential extent and rate of fibre digestibility, respectively.

Maize stem tissues: ferulate deposition in developing internode cell walls

It has been hypothesized that ferulates are only deposited in the primary cell wall of grasses. To test this hypothesis, the fourth elongating, above-ground internode of maize ( Zea mays l.) was sampled from three maize hybrids throughout development. Cell wall composition was determined by the Uppsala Dietary Fibre method. Ester- and ether-linked ferulates were determined by HPLC analysis of ferulic acid released from the internodes by low and high temperature alkaline treatments. Internode length increased from 9 to 152 mm over 96 days of growth, with elongation being complete in the first 12 days. More than half of the cell wall material in the maize internodes accumulated after elongation had ended. Deposition of cell wall material appeared to reach its maximum extent 40 days after sampling began, well before physiological maturity of the maize plants. Galactose and arabinose began to accumulate early in cell wall development which was presumed to be associated with primary wall growth during internode elongation. The major secondary wall constituents (analyzed as glucose, xylose, and Klason lignin) did not begin to accumulate rapidly until shortly before internode elongation ended. Ferulate ester deposition began before ferulate ethers were observed in the cell wall, but both forms of ferulate continued to accumulate in secondary cell walls, long after internode elongation had ceased. These data clearly show that contrary to the hypothesis, ferulate deposition was not restricted to the primary wall and that active lignin/polysaccharide cross-linking mediated by ferulates occurs in the secondary wall.

Impact of the proposed definition of dietary fiber on nutrient databases

Many definitions of dietary fiber exist worldwide, some based on analytical methods and others physiologically based. In March 2001, the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences released proposed definitions for dietary fiber developed by a panel of experts. The panel held three meetings and a workshop to review existing definitions of dietary fiber, review methods to measure dietary fiber, and receive input from scientists, food companies, consumers, and other interested parties on their viewpoints on a definition for dietary fiber. Based on the Panel's deliberations, the following definitions were proposed: Dietary Fiber consists of nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Functional Fiber consists of isolated, nondigestible carbohydrates that have beneficial physiological effects in humans. Total Fiber is the sum of Dietary Fiber and Functional Fiber. What impact will these definitions have, if adopted? Currently, dietary fiber is defined as compounds that are isolated by analytical dietary fiber methods accepted by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) rather than a formal definition that includes fiber's role in human health. New methods will need to be developed to reflect the accepted definitions for dietary fiber. Additionally, the committee felt that the terms “soluble” and “insoluble” fiber are not meaningful and should no longer be used in labeling. Finally, compounds such as resistant starch and inulin, which do not qualify as dietary fiber under current AOAC methods could be considered Functional Fiber if they show beneficial physiological effects in humans.

Stability of ingested methylcellulose in the rat determined by polymer molar mass measurements by light scattering.

Methylcellulose (MC) is ingested by humans in food and pharmaceutical formulations. The functional properties of MC like those of other linear polymers depend primarily on polymer length or molar mass for largely linear polymers. Although many studies in animals and humans have shown complete excretion of MC, in vitro human fecal fermentation studies indicate that MC can be degraded and presumably lose some of its functionality. In this study, MC polymer distribution in the feces from rats fed a diet containing 8% methylcellulose were compared to the fed MC. The water-soluble polymers in the feces were separated by a size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and the polymer distributions determined by multiple angle laser light scattering (MALLS). Detection of the fluorescent MC-calcofluor complex was used to confirm the identity of the eluting MC peak. All dietary MC was recovered in the feces. There is a small shift (P < 0.06) in the weight-averaged molecular weight of polymer distribution of MC extracted from the feces to 2.71 +/- 0.15 x 10(5) g/mol from 3.15 +/- 0.02 x 10(5) g/mol in the standard. There is also an increase in the polydispersity from 1.21 in the standard to 1.8 in the fecal extract. The distribution of the substituted methoxylated glucose monomers by gas chromatography also confirms the stability of MC fed to rats. The amount of actual hydrolysis is estimated to be about 0.1 glycosidic linkage/molecule. MC is not easily determined by standard dietary fiber methods, and SEC with MALLS and/or fluorescence may be a useful alternative.

Cross‐Linked Resistant Starch: Preparation and Properties

ABSTRACTResistant starches (RS) were prepared by phosphorylation of wheat, waxy wheat, corn, waxy corn, high‐amylose corn, oat, rice, tapioca, mung bean, banana, and potato starches in aqueous slurry (≈33% starch solids, w/w) with 1–19% (starch basis) of a 99:1 (w/w) mixture of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) at pH 10.5–12.3 and 25–70°C for 0.5–24 hr with sodium sulfate or sodium chloride at 0–20% (starch basis). The RS4 products contain ≤100% dietary fiber when assayed with the total dietary fiber method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). In vitro digestion of four RS4 wheat starches showed they contained 13–22% slowly digestible starch (SDS) and 36–66% RS. However after gelatinization, RS levels fell by 7–25% of ungelatinized levels, while SDS levels remained nearly the same. The cross‐linked RS4 starches were distinguished from native starches by elevated phosphorus levels, low swelling powers (≈3g/g) at 95°C, insolubilities (&lt;1%) in 1M potassium hydroxide or 95% dimethyl sulfoxide, and increased temperatures and decreased enthalpies of gelatinization measured by differential scanning calorimetry.

Alfalfa Stem Tissues: Cell Wall Deposition, Composition, and Degradability

Declining cell wall degradability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems with maturation limits the nutritional value of alfalfa for ruminants. This study characterized changes in cell wall concentration, composition, and degradability by rumen microbes resulting from alfalfa stem tissue proliferation and development during maturation. The seventh internode from the shoot base of three alfalfa clones was sampled after 12, 17, 21, 31, and 87 d of regrowth in 1996 and 21 and 31 d in 1997. Cross sections were examined by light microscopy for tissue development, and after 48‐h in vitro degradation. Cell wall concentration and composition of the internodes were determined by the Uppsala dietary fiber method, and cell wall degradability by rumen microbes was measured after 12 and 96 h. All stem tissues were pectin‐rich and nonlignified at the two youngest maturities in 1996, except for primary xylem vessels which had lignified and thickened walls, and the internode was actively elongating. Primary xylem was the only tissue not degraded from immature stems. The 21‐d‐old internodes had completed elongation and begun secondary xylem proliferation. Secondary xylem lignified immediately, and lignification of primary phloem and pith parenchyma began when elongation ended. As tissues lignified, their cell walls became undegradable. Maturation increased stem proportion consisting of undegradable secondary xylem, and cell wall polysaccharide composition shifted from predominantly pectin toward cellulose. Degradability of pectin remained high regardless of maturity stage, but cellulose and hemicellulose degradabilities declined as secondary xylem proliferated. Degradability of alfalfa stems would be improved if the amount of lignified secondary xylem was reduced.

Alfalfa Stem Tissues

Declining cell wall degradability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems with maturation limits the nutritional value of alfalfa for ruminants. This study characterized changes in cell wall concentration, composition, and degradability by rumen microbes resulting from alfalfa stem tissue proliferation and development during maturation. The seventh internode from the shoot base of three alfalfa clones was sampled after 12, 17, 21, 31, and 87 d of regrowth in 1996 and 21 and 31 d in 1997. Cross sections were examined by light microscopy for tissue development, and after 48-h in vitro degradation. Cell wall concentration and composition of the internodes were determined by the Uppsala dietary fiber method, and cell wall degradability by rumen microbes was measured after 12 and 96 h. All stem tissues were pectin-rich and nonlignified at the two youngest maturities in 1996, except for primary xylem vessels which had lignified and thickened walls, and the internode was actively elongating. Primary xylem was the only tissue not degraded from immature stems. The 21-d-old internodes had completed elongation and begun secondary xylem proliferation. Secondary xylem lignified immediately, and lignification of primary phloem and pith parenchyma began when elongation ended. As tissues lignified, their cell walls became undegradable. Maturation increased stem proportion consisting of undegradable secondary xylem, and cell wall polysaccharide composition shifted from predominantly pectin toward cellulose. Degradability of pectin remained high regardless of maturity stage, but cellulose and hemicellulose degradabilities declined as secondary xylem proliferated. Degradability of alfalfa stems would be improved if the amount of lignified secondary xylem was reduced.

Genotypic and Environmental Variation in Soybean Seed Cell Wall Polysaccharides

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed cell wall polysaccharides (CWP) have been characterized, but little is known about their genotypic variation. This information would be beneficial for determining genetic strategies for manipulating CWP content and composition. Seed CWP was determined by the Uppsala total dietary fiber method to quantify monosaccharides of CWP in 14 soybean genotypes from Maturity Groups 00 to I grown at four Minnesota locations. CWP concentration of mature whole seed varied from 158 to 176 g/kg dry matter (DM). Genotypic but not environmental effects were significant for total CWP concentration. For individual monosaccharide concentrations, both genotypic and environmental effects were present. Seed of five genotypes were separated into cotyledon and seed coat for CWP analysis. Genotypic variation for CWP concentration was mostly in cotyledon and not seed coat. Pectin was mostly in cotyledon rather than seed coat with 80.8 and 14.6 g pectin/kg of whole seed DM in cotyledon and seed coat, respectively. Only xylose, glucose, galactose, and uronic acid concentrations were significantly different among genotypes in cotyledon. The correlation between CWP concentration and protein plus oil concentration among the 14 genotypes was r = −0.724, which suggests that an increase in protein plus oil content is associated with a reduction of CWP concentration. The genotypic variation observed suggests that it is possible to breed for reduced CWP. However, genotypic variation for some monosaccharides was limited, suggesting that other methods of genetic manipulation may be more efficient in reducing these monosaccharides.

Methods to Determine Food Inulin and Oligofructose

The fructans, inulin and oligofructose, were known to possess many of the physiologic properties of dietary fiber (DF) but were not listed as DF on the labels of foods that contained them because they did not precipitate in 78% ethanol as prescribed in the AOAC International methods for DF. In the latter part of 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed to consider fructans as DF if an AOAC-accepted analytical method could be successfully developed for fructans. Six blind duplicate pairs of foods, containing from 4 to 40% of inulin or oligofructose, were sent to nine collaborators in five countries for assay. These foods included a low fat spread, cheese spread, chocolate, wine gum, dry ice mix powder and biscuits. In the proposed method, the samples were treated with amyloglucosidase and inulinase, and the sugars released were determined by ion-exchange chromatography. The concentration of the fructan was calculated by the difference in sugars present in the two enzymic treatments and the initial sample. The repeatability standard deviations (RSDr) for the inulin and oligofructose ranged from 2.9 to 5.8% and the reproducibility standard deviations (RSDR) for these fructans ranged from 4.7 to 11.1%. The method was accepted by the AOAC as an official first action.

Measurement of Sugars and Starches in Foods by a Modification of the AOAC Total Dietary Fiber Method

A separation scheme for the determination of sugars and starch in processed food was developed. It is based on AOAC Method 985.29 for total dietary fiber with these modifications: carbohydrate starches are separated into soluble and insoluble fractions before they are hydrolyzed; acetonitrile is used instead of ethanol to separate sugars from enzyme-resistant carbohydrates, proteins, and other macromolecules; and a solid-phase extraction filter is included to remove substances that interfere with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Recovery studies indicate a > 97% sugar recovery. Twenty foods were analyzed. After enzymatic hydrolysis, fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose were extracted and determined by HPLC using a refractive index detector. Starch content was calculated from the increase in the amount of glucose. The results were compared with values listed on the "Nutrition Facts" panel for that food. The analyzed amounts of sugars and starches were 73-96% of declared values.

Inulin and Oligofructose Are Part of the Dietary Fiber Complex

Dietary fiber has been defined as the remnants of plant cells resistant to hydrolysis by human alimentary enzymes. Its main chemical constituents are hemicelluloses, celluloses, lignin, pectins, gums, and waxes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture determine compliance with nutritional labeling regulations for dietary fiber by use of the existing AOAC INTERNATIONAL methods for total dietary fiber. The above compounds are readily detected by these methods. However, some oligo- and polysaccharides are resistant to human alimentary enzymes and do not precipitate in 78% ethanol, the usual reagent for precipitating dietary fiber in analytical procedures. Some of these saccharides, termed fructans, are inulin and oligofructose. They possess many physiological attributes normally associated with dietary fiber. Inulin is a mixture of oligo- and polysaccharides composed of fructose moieties joined by beta(2-->1) linkages in linear chains. Almost each chain ends with a glucose moiety. Oligofructose is a synonym for fructo-oligosaccharides, with fructose moieties joined by beta(2-->1) linkages, as in inulin. Not all molecules have a glucose unit, and the chain length is less than 10 units. A method for inulin and oligofructose was developed and approved official first action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL in early 1997. It involves extraction of sample and treatment of the extract with amyloglucosidase followed by fructozyme (Fructozyme Enzyme Process Division, Novo Nordisk, Novo Industry, Copenhagen, Denmark). The sugars released in each of the 3 steps are measured by anion-exchange chromatography. The concentration of fructans is calculated as the difference of sugars, glucose and fructose, after the enzymatic treatments and the initial sample. The repeatability standard deviations for inulin and oligofructose ranged from 2.9 to 5.8% and the reproducibility standard deviations ranged from 4.7 to 11.1%. The method was accepted by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.

Comparative Chemical Analysis of Fiber Material Prepared by Enzymatic and Chemical Methods from Two Mushrooms (Pleurotus sajor-cajuandPleurotustuber-regium)

The fiber material of Pleurotus sajor-caju (oyster mushroom) and Pleurotus tuber-regium (tiger milk mushroom) was prepared by two protocols: the enzymatic approach based on the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) total dietary fiber (TDF) method and the nonenzymatic method based on the cell wall material (CWM) isolation by the sequential use of chemical solvents. The gravimetric yield of the TDF of the two mushrooms obtained by the enzymatic method was higher than that of the CWM prepared according to the chemical method. The chemical method was more effective than the enzymatic one in removing the mushroom protein. However, some polymeric materials (including fiber material) were solubilized in the chemical solvents used to remove protein and starch from the mushroom. The nonstarch polysaccharide content and composition of the mushroom fiber obtained from the above varied depending on the morphology and types of cell wall polysaccharides present in the two Pleurotus species. Keywords: Mushroom; fiber material; Pleurotus; enzyme; chemical solvent

Protein Quality of Alfalfa Protein Concentrates Obtained by Freezing

Freezing protein curd was prepared from alfalfa juice and extracted with 2-propanol, either unwashed or after washing with water. To examine the effect of extraction on digestibility, in vitro digestibility was analyzed for the two extracted protein concentrates and the unextracted protein concentrate. Two methods, one direct, the pH-stat method, and one indirect, the dietary fiber method, were used to determine in vitro digestibility. The protein quality of the unextracted freezing concentrate was also determined by bioassays. The in vivo digestibility of this concentrate (82.8) was lower than that of soybean meal, while the biological value (75.4) was similar. Thus, the lower net protein utilization (62.4) of this concentrate as compared to soybean meal can be ascribed to its lower digestibility. Extraction of the concentrate with 2-propanol lowered in vitro digestibility about 11 and 2% by pH-stat and dietary fiber methods, respectively, while washing the concentrate with water before extraction either had no effect on in vitro digestibility or lowered it slightly. There was an inversely proportional relationship statistically significative between the content of dietary and insoluble fiber in the concentrates and their in vitro digestibilities.

Content of dietary fiber in foods and its physiological effects

An increase in dietary fiber consumption has been recommended by the public health authorities. In this review the definition of dietary fiber and analytical methods used for its measurement are discussed. Furthermore, effects of processing on dietary fiber—especially the formation of resistant starch, the role of dietary fiber in health and disease, and intakes in different countries—are discussed.

Fine Tuning a Bile-Enzymatic-Gravimetric Total Dietary Fiber Method

A recently proposed bile-enzymatic-gravimetric total dietary fiber (TDF) method was modified and the new procedure was compared with the original method, the traditional AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric determination (AOAC Official Method 985.29), and another simplified AOAC procedure by analyzing several diet composites, including National Institute of Standards and Technology 1548 total diet reference material. The original and modified bile-enzymatic-gravimetric procedures also were compared by analyzing 9 food samples from a collaborative study of the original method. The modified method consistently yielded values about 10% lower than the original method but closer to reference values and to values from AOAC Official Method 985.29, suggesting results that are more in line with accepted TDF standard methodology. Our modified method was used to analyze 180 fresh-frozen diet composites with TDF values ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 g/100 g wet weight. Samples were from 2 multicenter feeding studies sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: DELTA (Dietary Effects on Lipoproteins and Thrombogenic Activity) and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The mean relative standard deviation (RSD) for duplicate analyses was 1.1%. For 40 assays of a quality control diet composite over 9 months, the standard deviation was 0.1 g/100 g wet weight (4.9% RSD), indicating the method's excellent precision for routine use.

The effects of dietary fibre and puberty induction method on ovarian activity of gilts

In commercial systems it is highly desirable that gilts are synchronised into a predictable first heat. The use of PMSG/hCG injections (PG 600) has met with some success inducing a synchronised fertile oestrus and slightly increased ovulation rate (Schilling and Cerne, 1972) in gilts and anoestrus sows. Diets containing a high proportion of dietary fibre may influence litter size in gilts (Stewart et al, 1995). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a high level of dietary fibre on oestrus expression and ovulation rate of gilts synchronised with exogenous gonadotrophins (PG600) or given daily boar stimulus.

The effects of dietary fibre and puberty induction method on ovarian activity of gilts

In commercial systems it is highly desirable that gilts are synchronised into a predictable first heat. The use of PMSG/hCG injections (PG 600) has met with some success inducing a synchronised fertile oestrus and slightly increased ovulation rate (Schilling and Cerne, 1972) in gilts and anoestrus sows. Diets containing a high proportion of dietary fibre may influence litter size in gilts (Stewart et al, 1995). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a high level of dietary fibre on oestrus expression and ovulation rate of gilts synchronised with exogenous gonadotrophins (PG600) or given daily boar stimulus.

Determination of Total Dietary Fiber in Foods and Food Products by Using a Single-Enzyme, Enzymatic-Gravimetric Method: Interlaboratory Study

A simplified enzymatic-gravimetric method for total dietary fiber (TDF) determination has been published and used in the Food Composition Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 1988. THis method gives comparable results to AOAC Official Methods 985.29 and 991.43 but the AOAC methods use 100 degrees C (water bath) to gelatinize the sample and a combination of alpha-amylase and an amyloglucosidase to hydrolyze starches, whereas the simplified method incorporates an autoclaving step (121 degrees C) for gelatinization followed by incubation with only amyloglucosidase. The simplified method omits protease hydrolysis and does not require any pH adjustment. Overall, the simplified method cuts cost and is less labor intensive. An interlaboratory study was conducted to validate this method. Blind duplicates of six sample (baked beans, corn bran, roasted peanuts, cooked potatoes, white bread with reduced calories, and cooked white rice) were sent to 11 laboratories. The reproducibility relative standard deviations of the TDF values (without outliers) ranged from 3.46 to 27.6%. The repeatability standard deviations ranged from 0.91 to 14.6%.

Protein, Energy, Fat, and Mineral Composition of Diets for Low-Income Adults in Sonora, Mexico

The major energy foods in Sonora, Mexico, are beans and corn and flour tortillas. The daily intake of beans was 329 g, corn tortillas, 253 g, and flour tortillas, 105 g. The chemical composition of the diet for low-income adults, 25 years or older, was analyzed according to AOAC (1990) methods for protein, fat, dietary fiber, phytates, Fe, Zn, Se, and Ca. The results of this study showed intakes of 92.98 g/day of fat, 104.33 g/day of protein, 49.24 g/day of dietary fiber, 2088 mg/day of phytates, 19.50 mg/day of Fe, 19.50 mg/day of Zn, 1164 mg/day of Ca, and 171.68 microgram/day of Se for a diet of 2667 kcal. All of these levels exceed the U.S. RDAs and the recommendations for Mexico (NAS, 1989; INN, 1977). Comparing the analyzed values with calculated values from databases, the values for the macronutrients agreed more closely than did the values for micronutrients; however, databases that include regional foods must be used. Minerals and phytates, with the exception of Ca, are insoluble, which could indicate the presence of unavailable phytate-mineral complexes.