Also available for licensing from USDA is a process you can use to predict total dietary fiber in cereal products.

Also available for licensing from USDA is a process you can use to predict total dietary fiber in cereal products with near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (U.S. patent 6,114,699). Quickly and accurately predict total dietary fiber content in a wide range of cereal products, including mixed grain products and those with high sugar, high crystalline sugar and high fat content, and a combination of high sugar and high fat. The technique determines dietary fiber levels within seconds by using near-infrared reflectance technology. Existing systems use enzymatic prediction techniques. But these are time-consuming, expensive, labor-intensive and use solvents. Mathematical tools extract additional information on food products, compared with current methods. Models are developed and calibrated which are generic in nature, or that focus on one or more specific grain types, variations in moisture, fats, solids, and the amount and type of sugar. The technique will help companies comply with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. Contact: Michael Ruff, USDA-ARS Office of Technology Transfer, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].