Abstract: The definition and analytical methods of dietary fiber(DF) have been developed significantly with the increasing intensive research in physiology and analytical methodology. In order to clarify the application of these various methods in routine analysis, this article reviewed the development of DF definition, the methods for routine analysis, and the DF contents comparison obtained by different quantion methods. Meanwhile, it also illustrated whether the methods for non-digestible carbohydrates (such as resistant starch, fructans, and polydextrose) could be used as supplements to the AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric methods.

Key words: dietary fiber, resistant starch, polydextrose, trans-galactoligosaccharide, fructans, resistant maltodextrin