R eliable Methods for Determining Lignin

as a Component of Dietary Fiber

In any enzymaticgravimetric method, DF as oligo- and polysaccharides that are
nonhydrolyzable by the specific enzymes are usually recovered along with lignin and
other associated substances, such as waxes, cutin, and suberin from 78 percent alcohol.
In the enzymaticchemical method, only the constituent sugars and lignin represent
DF. However, there is no accurate method for routine measurement of lignin,
whose structure as a phenyl-propanoid polymer has not been well defined. Klason
lignin determined by AOAC method 994.13, as the acid insoluble organic matter in
the DF residue, may include some tannins and Maillard reaction products. A modified
permanganate method has been shown to be more reproducible and the values
are lower when compared with those obtained after acid detergent fiber extraction
followed by permanganate treatment or after Klason lignin treatment.