Fenfiber® Retail Sales

Fenfiber® is a dietary fiber concentrated from seeds of the fenugreek plant, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum. Fenfiber® is a purified white fiber extracted from the endosperm or gum layer of the fenugreek seed.

Fenugreek is a drought tolerant annual legume grown principally in south Asia, with lesser amounts produced in the Middle East, North Africa, and now in Canada.

Fenugreek seeds have traditionally been ground and used as a thickener in spice blends. This traditional use of fenugreek resulted in an anecdotal reputation as beneficial for digestive ailments and management of blood sugar levels.

The fenugreek plant is a legume with the ability to fix nitrogen without the use of synthetic fertilizers, so it is often grown in rotation to benefit soil health. Fenugreek crops have been adapted to production in Canada and have become a reliable source of supply for processing.

Fenugreek seeds are on the USA, GRAS list (Generally Regarded As Safe) and have a long record of safe use in the spice industry. Fenfiber® from Emerald is manufactured in our production facility under third party audited Good Manufacturing Practices with Kosher and Organic certification. Fenugreek seed which is the raw material used for Fenfiber® production is locally grown under identity preserved contracts with full traceability to the originating farm. Suppliers are subject to on-farm food safety review to insure that raw materials are of the highest quality and purity.

Fenfiber® Science

"Dietary fiber is the edible parts of plants or analogous carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine. Dietary fiber includes polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lignin, and associated plants substances. Dietary fibers promote beneficial physiological effects including laxation, and/or blood cholesterol attenuation, and/or blood glucose attenuation." (Definition of American Association of Cereal Chemists)

It is now recommended that the average adult should have a daily fiber intake of 20 to 35 grams per day. The actual average North American adult daily fiber intake is estimated at 10 to 20 grams per day.

Fenfiber® is a balance of soluble fibers which dissolve in water and form a viscous gel and insoluble fibers which provides increased mass in the digestive tract.

The predominant fiber in Fenfiber®, about 80% of the total fiber, is a polysaccharide consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side units. Fenfiber® is only source of galactomannan where units of the backbone, mannose, exist in a 1:1 ratio with the side groups of galactose. This ratio is highly unique compared to other galactomannans:

Fenfiber® specifications have a minimum of 90% total dietary fiber content. Fenfiber® is available as a white powder in various granulations. Fenfiber® is manufactured by Emerald under a patented process using only water for extraction.

Fenfiber® Properties

The protective effect of dietary fiber in human health comes from the properties of fibers in the digestive tract:

• Increased viscosity of intestinal contents, delays gastric emptying time and slows transit through the small intestine. Gels formed in the intestine reduce the rate of nutrient absorption.
• Water holding capacity of fiber increase the bulk of intestinal contents and dilute the absorption of nutrients.
• Binding of bile acids and potential carcinogens by fibers is a factor in the reduction of cholesterol. Binding and fecal excretion of bile acids leads to increased metabolism of cholesterol and reduced serum cholesterol content.

The 1:1 mannose to galactose ratio is the source of the effectiveness of Fenfiber® compared to other fibers. The molecular structure makes it difficult for digestive enzymes to break down Fenfiber® in the digestive tract. The water binding characteristic of Fenfiber® results in the formation of a gel in the digestive tract and resistance to enzymatic degradation increases the time the fiber binds water in the digestive tract.

Recent process improvements by Emerald have resulted in highly purified Fenfiber® extracts which remain viscous for longer times, and which are not degraded by impurities commonly found in other fiber products.

Fenfiber® Applications

Fenfiber® provides a fiber claim when substituted in applications for traditional gums such as guar, xanthan, and locust bean. A 1% solution of Fenfiber® in water becomes a thickened fluid, and solutions above 2% form viscous gels.

Potential applications for Fenfiber® include thickening, emulsification, stabilizing and improving food texture, extending shelf life, moisture retention and water binding. This range of uses provides numerous methods for incorporating increased amounts of fiber in the diet.

Our Natural Health Products Master File is available for product formulators to assist with product formulation and development of health claims. FenFiber can be used to reduce cholesterol levels and manage blood glucose levels.

Fenfiber® is cost effective compared to other fiber sources. Cost in use is lower than many other less effective fiber sources.

Fenfiber® is available in most types of packaging for customers’ convenience. Fenfiber® is stable under recommended storage conditions and every batch is tested to meet stringent quality standards.

Fenfiber® Retail Sales