Total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber values measured by enzymatic–gravimetric method in cereal grains

Cereal grains produced in southern Brazil and collected in production trials carried out in 1996 were evaluated as to total fiber (TF), insoluble fiber (IF) and soluble fiber (SF) contents by the enzymatic–gravimetric method of (Prosky et al., J. Assoc. Anal. Chem. Int. 75 (1992) 360). Wheat (BR 23, CEP 24, EMBRAPA 16, EMBRAPA 48 and EMBRAPA 49), triticale (BR 4, EMBRAPA 17 and EMBRAPA 18), barley (BR 2, EMBRAPA 43 and PFC 9205), rye (BR 1), oats (UFRGS 14, UFRGS 15 and UFRGS 17), corn (BR 351 and BR 5202 Pampa) and sorghum (A 9904 and BR 300) cultivars were analyzed. Differences (P<0.05) in TF and IF were found among the species. Wheat, triticale, oats and sorghum cultivars presented significant differences in total and IF levels, and oats cultivars in IF levels. The SF levels (difference between total and IF) of wheat and sorghum cultivars were also different. Although the results may have been affected by gravimetric corrections, the total and IF values obtained suggest the possible use of different species and different cultivars of cereal grains in specific strategies for animal and human nutrition.