Evaluation of methods of analysis for dietary fibre using real foods and model foods.

Rationale And Objectives: There are several rational and empirical methods for the measurement of dietary fibre and its components. A selection of these methods were evaluated by investigation of a range of real foods and model foods with added resistant starch (RS), non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and resistant oligosaccharide (RO) ingredients.

Methods: A range of rational methods were applied in determining specific carbohydrate constituents: RS, NSP and RO, including fructans.

Dietary exposures to nitrate in the UK.

Dietary exposures to nitrate have been estimated for two different groups of UK consumers. The daily dietary exposure of the general population was estimated from the UK 1997 Total Diet study to be 52 mg/day. Vegetables contributed approximately 70% to this total dietary exposure.

Iodine in British foods and diets.

Levels of I were determined in selected foods and dietary supplements, and in samples of the British 'Total Diet'. The average concentration of I in British milk collected in thirteen areas on four occasions during 1990 and 1991 was 150 micrograms/kg (range 40-310 micrograms/kg), compared with 230 micrograms/kg in 1977-79. No difference was found between skimmed and whole milk.

Improved colorimetric assay for detecting influenza B virus neutralizing antibody responses to vaccination and infection.

An automated neutralization test for influenza B virus is described in which antibody titers are determined according to the release of neutral red from infected or uninfected cells of the Madin-Darby canine kidney line. Endpoints are determined in a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader. The test requires no expensive immunologic reagents and was used to evaluate responses to both vaccination and natural infection against influenza B virus.