Dietary fibers are various combinations of celluloses, hemicelluloses,
pectins, gums, and lignins that are important in their actions in the gastrointestinal
tract. Recent progress in their chemistry and nutrition are included
in this book, which is the proceedings of a symposium on Dietary
Fibers: Chemistry and Nutrition held at the American Chemical Society
meeting, Miami Beach, Florida, September 11 - 15, 1978.
Scientists from many disciplines cover the multiple aspects of dietary
fibers including analysis, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, microbiology,
nutrition, and physiology. The complex structure of dietary fibers found in
cell walls are reviewed in great depth. Metabolic effects of dietary fibers
related to mineral binding, blood cholesterol and other lipids, glucose tolerance,
bile acids, carcinogens, and cocarcinogens are examined in detail.
Interactions of metabolic substances with polysaccharides and lignins are
also reviewed in-depth.