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FOR EXPERT REVIEW PANEL USE ONLY
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
1
Expert Review Panel for Infant Formula and Adult Nutrition
Evaluation of Method FOS-03
Title:
Dual Lab Validation of a Method for the Determination of Fructans in Infant Formula & Adult
Nutritional
Author:
Sean Austin, Peter Sanders, Véronique Spichtig, Veronica Ernste‐Nota
,
Kimberley Iwanoff,
Paulina Zyskowska, Jeroen Van Soest, Paul Kong Thoo Lin, Kommer Brunt
Summary of Method:
The fructan analysis protocol is based on an aqueous extraction of the fructan constituents, followed by
enzymatic hydrolysis of possibly present maltodextrins/maltooligosaccharides and free sucrose. Graphitized
Carbon Solid Phase Extraction (GC‐SPE) columns are applied to concentrate the fructan constituents and to
remove the free monosaccharides. The free monosaccharides are removed from the GC‐SPE column by washing
with aqueous sodium chloride solution. The concentrated fructan constituents are eluted from the GC‐SPE with
water/acetonitrile/TFA. Then the eluted fructans are hydrolyzed with fructanase into their monosaccharides
glucose and fructose. The glucose and fructose contents are determined with gradient elution High Performance
Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC‐PAD).
The method has been co‐developed at Nestlé Research Centre (NRC), Lausanne Switzerland and
Eurofins Carbohydrate Competence Centre (CCC), Heerenveen, The Netherlands
Some minor differences in the application of the method exist in the two labs.
Method Scope/Applicability:
Determination of the total fructan (FOS) content in all forms of infant, adult and/or pediatric formula
(powders, ready to feed liquids and liquid concentrates)
General comments about the method:
The method has been validated independently in both laboratories using the 19 matrices of SPIFAN kit. Six
matrices in the SPIFAN kit were found to contain fructans.
Method Clarity:
The method description is clear and the procedure could be followed without difficulty.
Method Safety Concerns:
Method does not require any especial safety precautions
Pros/Strengths: