MGP's Fibersym^™ boosts fiber in bakery foods

What is Fibersym^™?
Fibersym^™ is a line of resistant starch manufactured and marketed by MGP Ingredients Inc. (MGPI). Fibersym^™ 70 is a wheat-based version that contains 70% total dietary fiber, and Fibersym^™ 80ST is potato-based and contains 80% total dietary fiber as analyzed by AOAC Method 991.43. MGPI produces Fibersym^™ resistant starch using patented processes exclusively licensed to the company by the Kansas State University Research Foundation.

How is Fibersym^™ different from conventional fiber sources?
Fibersym^™ resistant starch is different in both physical characteristics and water-holding properties. Fibersym resistant starch is white in appearance, has a fine particle size, smooth texture and a neutral flavor. Conventional sources of dietary fiber have a dark color, coarse particle size, gritty texture and a strong, bitter flavor. The water holding capacity of conventional fibers can range from three to four times their normal weights, whereas Fibersym^™ ingredients absorb only 0.7 to 0.8 times their weight with water.

How is Fibersym^™ different from other types of resistant starch on the market?
Both Fibersym^™ 70 and Fibersym^™ 80 ST belong to the RS4 type (modified) resistant starch. Other commercially available types of resistant starch in the market belong to RS2 type (granular/ungelatinized) or RS3 type (retrograded). RS4 type resistant starch contain higher levels of total dietary fiber (AOAC method 991.43) than RS2 or RS3 types.

What are typical food applications of Fibersym^™?
Fibersym^™ resistant starch is applicable to a diverse range of food products. Possessing a white color, smooth texture and a clean flavor, Fibersym supplements fiber levels in both traditional and non-traditional applications, including white pan breads and buns, whole grain foods, pasta, noodles, breakfast cereals, dairy products, confectioneries and meat products. They can be used for fiber enrichment in both yeast-leavened and chemically-leavened bakery products to meet "good source of fiber" or "excellent source of fiber" labeling claims.

What is the recommended level of usage?
For non-standardized foods, there is no use level limitation for Fibersym^™ resistant starch. The use level for Fibersym^™ in standardized foods is limited to an inclusion level that meets the standards of identity for a specific food product, as would be the case in general for adding ingredients to foods.

Are there changes in processing or water adjustments?
Because of their low water-holding capacities, the addition of Fibersym^™ 70 or Fibersym^™ 80ST resistant starch requires minimal processing changes, even when added at higher inclusion levels. Fibersym^™ resistant starch also helps achieve crispness in foods when desired, including applications such as crackers, waffles, snack foods and breakfast cereals.

How should Fibersym^™ resistant starch be labeled?
On food product packages, Fibersym^™ 70 and Fibersym^™ 80 ST can be labeled as food starchmodified. Alternatively, ingredient labels can be labeled modified wheat starch for Fibersym^™ 70 and modified potato starch for Fibersym^™ 80 ST to indicate their botanical source.