Determinación del potencial de fibras dietéticas en las hojas taiobada (Xanthosoma saggittifolium Schott)

The need for the knowlodge of the composition in dietary fibers of the taro, a non-conventional vegetable and which is easily cultivated led to the acchievement of the present work which aimed to caracterize the acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose, total pectin, soluble pectin and lignin of the blade and petiole of the taro. From the leaves the blade and petiole were removed and sublimitted to the analyses od the fresh and dry material in ventilated oven at 60 °C. All the parts of the leaves analysed (blade and petiole) can be recommended as a source of soluble and unsoluble fibers being there fore good sources of dietary fibers and being able to be added to the diet improving it due to their effects to health.