Topics in Dietary Fiber Research, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1978

The study of plant fibers and their effect on human physiology has suddenly, after many years of comparative obscurity, been catapulted to the forefront of the scien­ tific world. This new interest, first ignited by certain epidemiological reports, has been intensified by new re­ search and by dramatization in the lay press. To counter­ act the dissemination of inaccurate information and to elimi­ nate confusion, several authors have felt the need to make objective, unbiased reports available to the scientific community. The collection of papers in our own Fiber in Human Nutrition (Plenum Press, 1976) is one such effor~ However, even as it was going to press, we realized that increased interest in specific areas of fiber research necessitated a more detailed and up-to-date look at certain topics. This book is directed to that purpose. The first volume of Fiber in Human Nutrition was de­ signed as a basic reference textbook covering the entire spectrum of plant fibers from chemical, analytical, physico­ chemical, physiological, medical and epidemiological points of view. The present volume, which enlarges on specific aspects of dietary fiber, is offered as a supplement to Fiber in Human Nutrition. Together, the two volumes should be a most valuable source of information for the student of the scientific intricacies of fiber. An ongoing concern is that many of the substances dealt with in these and other "fiber" books are not, in the clas­ sical sense, of a fibrous nature at all.

1 — The Detergent System of Fiber Analysis.- I. Introduction.- II. Systems of Fiber Analysis.- III. The Detergent Systems.- IV. Nutritional Implications of the Detergent Systems.- V. In-Vitro Cell-Wall Digestion.- VI. Procedures in the Detergent System of Fiber Analysis.- A. Reagents.- B. Procedures.- VII. Conclusions.- References.- 2 — Wheat Bran: Composition and Digestibility..- I. Introduction.- II. Morphology of Bran.- III. Composition of Bran.- A. Carbohydrates.- B. Lignin.- C. Other Components.- IV. Bran Digestibility.- V. Fiber Versus Indigestible Residue.- VI. Conclusion.- References.- 3 — The Chemical Structure of Lignin and Quantitative and Qualitative Methods of Analysis in Foodstuffs.- I. Introduction.- II. Structure of the Plant Cell Wall.- III. The Chemistry of Lignin.- A. Empirical Formulae.- B. Coupling of Lignin Monomers.- C. Structure of Lignins in Herbaceous Plants.- D. Chemical Reactivity of Some Interlignol Links.- IV. Analytical Methods for Lignin.- A. Quantitative Determination.- B. Qualitative Analysis.- V. Effect of Digestion on Lignin.- VI. Lignin Content of Human Foods.- VII. Summary.- References.- 4 — Pectin.- I. Chemistry and Nomenclature.- II. Pectic Enzymes.- III. Pectin Content of Plant Materials.- IV. Gel Formation.- V. Pectin Metabolism.- VI. Conclusion.- References.- 5 — Plant Fibers and Human Health.- I. Introduction.- II. Dietary Fiber in Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Diets.- III. Dietary Fiber and Epidemiological Aspect of Disease.- A. Fiber Intake and Digestive System Function.- B. Fiber Intake Effect on Character and Transit Time of Stools.- C. Fiber Intake and Body Weight.- D. Fiber Intake, Blood Pressure, and Serum Cholesterol.- E. Fiber Intake and Colorectal Cancer.- IV. Conclusion.- References.- 6 — Fermentation as the Principal Cause of the Physiological Activity of Indigestible Food Residue.- I. Introduction.- II. The Indigestible Residue of Vegetable Foods and its Fate in the Body.- III. Variable Rate of Starch Digestion.- IV. Fermentation as the Cause of Intestinal Gas Formation.- V. Fermentation as the Cause of Accelerated Transit in the Large Bowel.- VI. The Effects Intestinal Bacteria and Food Residue Exert on Excretion of Sterols.- VII. Conclusions.- References.- 7 — Practical Dietary Research Design and Applications for Southwestern American Indians.- I. Introduction.- II. Fiber Selection.- III. Dietary Calculation.- IV. Dietary Design.- V. Differences in Populations.- VI. Conclusion.- References.- 8 — Paleodietetics: A Review of the Role of Dietary Fiber in Preagricultural Human Diets.- I. Introduction.- II. Coprolites from Pleistocene Contexts.- III. Desiccated Coprolites from Postpleistocene Contexts.- IV. The Role of Nonphytic Biopolymers in Preagricultural Human Diets.- V. Possible Morphological Adaptations to the Fiber Content of the Diet.- VI. Summary.- References.- Appendix — Dietary Fiber Content of Foods.- References.- Contributors.