ANTIOXIDANT DIETARY FIBER PRODUCT - A NEW CONCEPT AND A POTENTIAL FOOD INGREDIENT

The main characteristics of a natural product, antioxidant dietary fib er (ADF), rich in both dietary fiber (DF) and polyphenolic compounds ( PP), obtained from red grape pomace is described. Both nonextractable proanthocyanidins (28.6%) and extractable polyphenols (2.0%) are assoc iated with the dietary fiber matrix. The antioxidant capacity of this product was in vitro determined by lipid oxidation inhibition (LOI) an d free radical scavenging (FRE) procedures. One gram of the product sh owed similar LOI and FRE effect than 400 mg and 100 mg of DL-(alpha-to copherol, respectively. Extractable PP of grape ADF showed higher anti oxidant capacity than red wine PP. The physiological and nutritional s ignificance of ADF is discussed and the requirements of vegetable mate rials to be considered as ADF is proposed.