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Content and composition of dietary fiber as nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) was determined in vegetables belonging to different types of edible organs, using GC and HPLC. Samples analyzed were subterranean organs (radish and leek), leaves (celery, swiss chard, and lettuce), stalks (celery, swiss chard, and asparagus), inflorescence (broccoli), and fruits (tomato, green pepper, and marrow). The results indicate that though the monomeric profile is similar in all these samples quantitative differences were found for neutral sugars and uronic acids among samples of the same type of vegetal organ. The NSP values determined using CG method were in good agreement with HPLC method (R(2) = 0.9005). However, arabinose, mannose, and galactose plus rhamnose are more influenced by the analytical method used than the rest of the monomers in nearly all the samples analyzed. Final values of NSP depend on the method used in celery stalks, broccoli, and green pepper.

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Changes occurring in the content and composition of dietary fiber of white asparagus during storage in different conditions were studied (room temperature; 2 °C in polyethylene bags; 2 °C and 95% relative humidity). The neutral sugars and uronic acid composition of dietary fiber was determined by gas chromatography and by a spectrophotometric method. In the insoluble dietary fiber, glucose was found in a major amount followed by galactose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose, and fucose. In the soluble dietary fiber, galactose was the predominant neutral sugar followed by arabinose, mannose, glucose, and rhamnose. The content of uronic acids was significantly higher in the soluble dietary fiber than in the insoluble one. The modifications observed in dietary fiber of the asparagus stored at room temperature are more rapid and pronounced than those in the refrigerated conditions, which prolong the conservation. Statistical analysis indicated that the changes were significantly affected by the type of storage and time. Keywords: Dietary fiber; asparagus; changes; storage