Dietary fiber components in yellow passion fruit rind--a potential fiber source.

Within the framework for searching for new dietary fiber (DF) sources to remedy the increasing shortage of currently available sources, connected to an upsurge of diabetes, colon cancer, and other diverticular diseases in certain Ivorian areas, yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) rind, a byproduct from the juice industry that is available in large quantities, was investigated. The results showed that, as determined by the AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric method, the total dietary fiber (TDF) in alcohol-insoluble material (AIM) from yellow passion fruit (YPF) rind was >73% dry matter of which insoluble dietary fiber accounted for >60% (w/w). The determination of DF using the Saeman hydrolysis method revealed that nonstarchy polysaccharides were the predominant components (approximately 70%, w/w), of which cellulose appeared to be the main fraction. The water holding and oil holding capacities of the fiber-rich material were >3 g of water/g of fiber and >4 g of oil/g of fiber, respectively. All these results lead to the conclusion that DF from YPF rind, prepared as AIM, may be suitable to protect against diverticular diseases.