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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
Nutritionals
Author:
Sean Austin (Nestlé Research Centre), Peter Sanders (Eurofins Carbohydrate Competence Centre),
Véronique Spichtig (Nestlé Research Centre), Veronica Ernste‐Nota (Eurofins Carbohydrate Competence
Centre), Kimberley Iwanoff (Nestlé Quality Assurance Centre), Paulina Zyskowska (Nestlé Research Centre),
Jeroen Van Soest (Eurofins Carbohydrate Competence Centre), Paul Kong Thoo Lin (Robert Gordon
University), Kommer Brunt (Rotating Disc BV)
Summary of Method:
Samples are reconstituted in water and further diluted to a suitable concentration. The diluted samples are
treated with a mixture of sucrase and α‐glucanases to hydrolyse sucrose and alpha-glucooligosaccharides
to their constituent monosaccharides. By applying the sample on a solid phase extraction cartridge packed
with graphitized carbon, the salts and monosaccharides are washed away, while the fructans are retained.
The fructans are released from the column using an acetonitrile solution. The released fructans are
hydrolysed with an inulinase mixture, and the released glucose and fructose are analysed by high
performance anion‐exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC‐PAD). The
fructan content is calculated by summing the glucose and 0.9 × fructose content.
Method Scope/Applicability:
The method is applicable to all types of samples supplied in the SPIFAN testkit, being infant formula and
adult/pediatric nutritional formula.
General comments about the method:
-
The method is suitable to detect fructans present in a normal range in end-products as represented
in the SPIFAN testkit
-
The method does not require correction factors
-
Only one run is needed (advantage over AOAC 997.03)
-
Reducing and/or non-reducing fructan end-groups do not affect the result (advantage over AOAC
999.03)
Method Clarity:
-
The method is clearly written
-
The method includes relatively simple calculations
Method Safety Concerns:
-
No extremely hazardous/toxic substances are used
Pros/Strengths:
•
Common techniques used