Barley Hulls Research Articles

Highly Efficient Production of Furfural from Corncob by Barley Hull Biochar-Based Solid Acid in Cyclopentyl Methyl Ether–Water System

Furfural, an important biobased compound, can be synthesized through the chemocatalytic conversion of D-xylose and hemicelluloses from lignocellulose. It has widespread applications in the production of valuable furans, additives, resins, rubbers, synthetic fibers, polymers, plastics, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. By using barley hulls (BHs) as biobased support, a heterogeneous biochar Sn-NUS-BH catalyst was created to transform corncob into furfural in cyclopentyl methyl ether–H2O. Sn-NUS-BH had a fibrous structure with voids, a large comparative area, and a large pore volume, which resulted in more catalytic active sites. Through the characterization of the physical and chemical properties of Sn-NUS-BH, it was observed that the Sn-NUS-BH had tin dioxide (Lewis acid sites) and a sulfonic acid group (Brønsted acid sites). This chemocatalyst had good thermostability. At 170 °C for 20 min, Sn-NUS-BH (3.6 wt%) was applied to transform 75 g/L of corncob with ZnCl2 (50 mM) to generate furfural (80.5% yield) in cyclopentyl methyl ether–H2O (2:1, v/v). This sustainable catalytic process shows great promise in the transformation of lignocellulose to furfural using biochar-based chemical catalysts.

Polyphenol oxidase genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): functional activity with respect to black grain pigmentation.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an oxidoreductase. In damaged plant tissues, it catalyzes enzymatic browning by oxidizing o-diphenols to highly reactive o-quinones, which polymerize producing heterogeneous dark polymer melanin. In intact tissues, functions of PPO are not well understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the barley PPO gene family and to reveal the possible involvement of Ppo genes in melanization of barley grain, which is controlled by the Blp1 gene. Based on known barley Ppo genes on chromosome 2H (Ppo1 and Ppo2), two additional genes-Ppo3 and Ppo4-were found on chromosomes 3H and 4H, respectively. These genes have one and two exons, respectively, contain a conserved tyrosinase domain and are thought to be functional. Comparative transcriptional analyzes of the genes in samples of developing grains (combined hulls and pericarp tissues) were conducted in two barley lines differing by melanin pigmentation. The genes were found to be transcribed with increasing intensity (while grains mature) independently from the grain color, except for Ppo2, which is transcribed only in black-grained line i:BwBlp1 accumulating melanin in grains. Analysis of this gene's expression in detached hulls and pericarps showed its elevated transcription in both tissues in comparison with yellow ones, while it was significantly higher in hulls than in pericarp. Segregation analysis in two F2 populations obtained based on barley genotypes carrying dominant Blp1 and recessive ppo1 (I) and dominant Blp1 and recessive ppo1 and ppo2 (II) was carried out. In population I, only two phenotypic classes corresponding to parental black and white ones were observed; the segregation ratio was 3 black to 1 white, corresponding to monogenic. In population II, aside from descendants with black and white grains, hybrids with a gray phenotype - light hulls and dark pericarp - were observed; the segregation ratio was 9 black to 3 gray to 4 white, corresponding to the epistatic interaction of two genes. Most hybrids with the gray phenotype carry dominant Blp1 and a homozygous recessive allele of Ppo2. Based on transcription and segregation assays one may conclude involvement of Ppo2 but not Ppo1 in melanin formation in barley hulls.

Properties of Oat and Barley Hulls and Suitability for Food Packaging Materials

ABSTRACT The fiber length, chemical composition, and mycototoxins of oat and barley hulls were analyzed in order to study the suitability to utilize hulls for paper and paperboard manufacturing. Oat fibers were observed to be slightly longer than those of barley (0.80 ± 0.19 mm and 0.51 ± 0.17 mm, respectively). There were no differences in the composition of the hemicellulose sugars, with the predominance of xylose and glucose. The amount of Klason lignin in oat and barley hulls was at almost the same level (23% and 25% of dry weight, respectively). Guaiacyl (G) units derived from coniferyl alcohol dominated as shown by pyrolysis-GC-MS. To achieve fibrillation beneficial for the papermaking, oat and barley hulls were refined with a disc refiner. Oat hulls were observed to be harder than barley hulls. This affected both calendering and the appearance of the sheets produced. Laboratory sheets were prepared in a sheet-former with different percentage of softwood pulp and oat and barley hulls. Hull-containing paper mostly met the same quality requirements as the commercial paper except for the burst strength in sheets containing either species’ hulls, and the tensile strength in sheets containing barley hulls.

In vitro digestion methods to characterize the physicochemical properties of diets varying in dietary fibre source and content

Co-products from food and agro industries – barley hulls (BH), pectin residue (PR), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and potato pulp (PP) – were collected, dried (PR, SBP, PP) and milled to pass a 1-, 2- and 4-mm screen. A total of 48 diets originating from these sources with four intended dietary fibre (DF) levels (225, 300, 375 and 450g/kg DM) and three particle sizes (1, 2, 4mm) were formulated by substituting wheat and barley in a wheat and barley-based diet (W-B diet). The chemical composition of wheat and barley, the four co-products and the corresponding diets were analysed. Swelling and water binding capacity (WBC) of the experimental diets were studied using a conventional analytical method and two in vitro digestion models intended to simulate the conditions in the stomach and the foregut (FG; stomach and small intestine). All co-products had lower starch (2–217g/kg DM) but higher total NSP (460–743g/kg DM) and DF (577–887g/kg DM) contents than barley and wheat. Soluble DF (SDF) of total DF varied from 10.6% in BH to 40.3% in SBP. Substituting wheat and barley with the fibre-rich co-products increased swelling and WBC, least for the diets with added BH and most for the diets with added PP. The in vitro FG simulation exerted the highest value for both swelling and WBC, followed by the conventional analytical method and the in vitro stomach simulation. There were marked differences in swelling and WBC between diet particle sizes for the conventional analytical method (P<0.05) and the in vitro FG simulation (P<0.01), but not for the in vitro stomach simulation (P≥0.1). Simulation with low vs. high incubation pH (2.5 vs. 4.0) in the pepsin hydrolysis procedure and long vs. short incubation time (4 vs. 2h) gave rise to higher swelling and WBC values. In conclusion, substituting wheat and barley with fibre-rich co-products resulted in higher swelling and WBC irrespective of the method used whereas the relative increase was influenced by the content of SDF. In vitro FG simulation seems to be a better reflection of the physicochemical properties of DF in the gastrointestinal tract.

The effect of moderate levels of finely ground insoluble fibre on small intestine morphology, nutrient digestibility and performance of broiler chickens

This experiment was carried out to assess the following hypothesis: feeding broiler to fine insoluble fibre in the diet will result in improved gut morphology and enhanced performance. In this experiment, 200 broiler chickens in 20 pen cages with wood shaving-lined floors were exposed to five treatment groups with four pens/treatment: control diet, diets contained 0.75 or 1.5% barley hulls or diets contained 0.75 or 1.5% rice hulls in a completely randomised design with five treatment, four replicate and 20 chicks each. Type of fibre influenced the performance and digestive traits of broilers with effects varying in accordance with the level of fibre. Rice hulls inclusion consistently improved growth performance and crude protein (CP) digestibility in broilers regardless of dietary inclusion level (p < 0.05). However, barley hulls at 1.5% level improved crypt depth: villous height (VH) ratio and feed conversion ratio had an opposite effect on VH (p < 0.05). The beneficial effects of hulls were more obvious with the 1.5% dietary inclusion level than the 0.75% level. The useful effects of rice hulls inclusion on broiler efficiency was mainly because of its effect on CP digestibility while barley hulls at 1.5% level positively changed jejunum morphology. The data suggest that broilers may have a nominal requirement for insoluble fibre, however, the source and dietary inclusion rate of fibre might be important factors to satisfy dietary fibre requirements in birds.

Isolation of barley hulls and straw constituents and study of emulsifying properties of their arabinoxylans

Both barley hulls and straw contain valuable arabinoxylans and other useful carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate components. The functional water soluble non-caloric arabinoxylan (hemicellulose B) fraction was isolated from hot water-extracted and de-starched barley hulls and straws by an alkaline hydrogen peroxide extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. Barley hulls contained comparatively more Hemi. B (20.51%) than barley straws (7.41 to 12.94%). The sugar composition of Hemi. B showed that they were typical arabinoxylans containing (in addition to arabinose and xylose) some galactose, glucose and acidic sugars in the side chains. The hemicellulose B fractions from barley straws were superior oil-in-water emulsifiers than those from barley hulls. These Hemi. B fractions contain protein, which contributes to their emulsions stabilizing property.

On farm production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum using lignocellulosic agrowastes.

The present study evaluated the efficiency of lignocellulosic agrowastes produced in Brazil as substrates for production of on farm AMF inoculum and tested different diluents and inoculation techniques. In a first experiment, Sorghum bicolor seedlings were colonized with Rhizophagus clarus or Claroideoglomus etunicatus and transplanted to 20L bags containing sugarcane bagasse (SC), king palm leaf sheets (KP), or barley hulls (BH) mixed (1:1:1 or 2:1:1, v/v/v) with sand and rice shell. SC and KP were conducive for production of spores and infectious propagules. A number of infectious propagules obtained were greater than with BH and ranged from 233-350propagulescm(-3) for both isolates in SC and KP at the1:1:1 mix dilution. Number of spores of both fungi was affected mainly by the SC agrowaste, and spore densities were significantly higher compared to KP and BH. In a second experiment, SC was mixed with soil or sand and inoculation consisted of transplanting colonized seedlings or adding soil inoculum. Number of propagules tended to differ for each fungus according to the inoculation technique or diluent. It is concluded from the data that SC and KP are suitable agrowastes to be incorporated in substrates for producing AMF inoculum using the on farm method.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major phenolic compounds as antioxidants in barley and flaxseed hulls using HPLC/MS/MS

Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the major phenolic compounds in barley and flaxseed hulls were conducted using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid and vanillin were identified and quantified in four barley hull samples. Four ferulate dehydrodimers were also detected. The phenolic compounds of flaxseed hull were distinct from those of barley hull. Three flaxseed hull samples varied significantly (P < 0.05) in their contents of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (16.38-33.92 g kg(-1) ), coumaric acid glucoside (35.68-49.22 g kg(-1) ) and ferulic acid glucoside (5.07-15.23 g kg(-1) ). The phytochemical profiles of co-extracts featured the major phenolic compounds from both barley and flaxseed hulls. The total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging capacity varied significantly (P < 0.05) among different varieties of flaxseed and barley hulls. As agricultural by-products, barley and flaxseed hulls may be utilised as potential sources of functional food ingredients through extraction and concentration of the phytochemicals identified above.

감마방사선 조사에 의한 느티만가닥버섯의 변이

본 연구는 감마방사선 조사에 의해 기능성 물질이 증가하고, 생리적 특성이 증진된 느티만가닥 버섯의 새로운 품종을 개발하기위하여 수행되었다. 돌연변이 유기를 위하여 느티만가닥 버섯의 갈색 계통 균주 HYM-056의 원형질에 감마방사선을 조사하여 2,000개의 돌연변이체를 무작위로 선발하고 병 재배하여 자실체를 형성시켰다. 이 중 생장속도가 빠르고, 중량이 무거우며, 자실체를 다량으로 생산하는 500개 균을 선발하였다. 선발된 균주의 자실체 형성을 위하여 미강, 보리껍질, 미송이 함유된 플라스틱 병에 재배하였다. 접종 100일 후, 자실체의 특성을 조사하였다. 그 결과 갓의 색깔, 형태, 크기와 대의 길이, 직경, 숫자, 무게 등에 따라 6개의 그룹으로 나뉘었다. 또한 URP-PCR 핵산 지문 분석으로 유전적 변이를 조사하였다. This study was performed to develop new Hypsizygus marmoreus cultivars that have enhanced functional materials and improved physiological characteristics with mutagenesis by gamma ray irradiation. Protoplasts of H. marmoreus brown strain HYM-056 were irradiated by gamma ray for mutagenesis, and then 2,000 clones of mutants were randomly selected and the fruiting bodies were induced by bottle culture. Among them, 157 isolates with fast-growing, heavy and many fruiting body-producing were selected. The isolates were cultured in plastic bottle containing rice bran, barley hulls and fir sawdust to form the fruiting bodies. About 100 days after inoculation, characteristic of fruiting bodies were investigated. The isolates were divided into 6 groups based on color, shape and size of pileus, and length, diameter, number and weight of stipe. In addition, the genetic variation of the isolates was analyzed by URP-PCR fingerprinting.

Characterization of water insoluble solids isolated from various biomass fast pyrolysis oils

A solid water insoluble material (WIS), commonly called pyrolytic lignin, can be isolated from biomass fast pyrolysis oils. Such material was isolated from the bio-oils produced from barley straw, barley hulls, switchgrass, soy straw and oak and then fully characterized. Analytical techniques employed in the characterization included elemental analysis, pyrolysis-GC/MS, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The characterization showed that the materials were mostly but not entirely derived from the lignin fraction of the biomass; they were largely made up of aromatic rings, substituted with varying amounts of methoxy groups and linked by varying types of aliphatic linkers. The NMR identified different types of aliphatic linkers in the isolates, some previously reported and some newly proposed. GPC analysis showed that the dimers and trimers were the most common oligomeric size though units comprising a wide variety of molecular weights, some >1500Da, were detected.

Effect of barley variety and growth year on ferulic and para-coumaric acids, and their ratio in the seed and hull

Complex cell walls of barley hulls contain phenolic constituents — hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly ferulic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, FA) and para-coumaric acid (4-hydroxycinnamic acid, PCA). Ferulic acid is produced via the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway and is covalently cross-linked to polysaccharides by ester bonds and to components of lignin mainly by ether bonds. Various studies have consistently indicated that FA is among the factors most inhibitory to the biodegradability of plant cell wall polysaccharides. PCA is also covalently linked to polysaccharides (minor) and lignin (major), but PCA does not form the inhibitory cross-linkages as FA does. It is considered to represent plant cell wall lignification. The objective of this study was to determine the genotypic variation and magnitude of difference in the concentration of the hydroxycinnamic acids in terms of FA and PCA as well as their ratios in barley hull and seeds in sixteen varieties of barley collected during three years. These data will be correlated to barley nutrient availability in future study. The barley varieties included CDC Cowboy, Valier, TR251, Newdale, RCSL97, KXN/TLN-147 (AU), WABAR2160 (AU), Harrington, CDC Copeland, CDC Kendall, AC Metcalfe, CDC Dolly, McLeod, CDC Bold, CDC Helgason and CDC Trey. The focus of this study was on ferulic acid because of its inhibitory effect on rumen degradation and digestion which are highly related to nutrient availability in animals. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.01) a mong the barley varieties in ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid and their ratio. Whole barley seed contained higher (P<0.05) ferulic acid concentration than p-coumaric acid, ranging from 509 to 679 μg/g DM for ferulic acid and 131 to 345 μg/g DM for p-coumaric acid. The ratios of ferulic acid to p-coumaric acid ranged from 1.8 to 3.9. The ferulic acid concentration in hull was higher (P < 0.05) than that in whole seed, ranging from 2,320 to 4,206 μg/g DM. Percentage of ferulic acid content in hull and dehulled seed ranged from 38 to 70% and 30 to 62%, respectively. Growth year affect affected the hydroxycinnamic acid profiles in barley seed and hull. In conclusion, there were large differences in the ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid among the barley varieties indicating genotypic variation. Harrington contained highest and Valier contained lowest FA in whole seed. Barley TR251 contained lowest % of FA content in the hull and highest % of FA content in the dehulled seed. Future study is needed to understand the relationship between the hydroxycinnamic acid profile in barley seeds and hull and nutrient utilization and availability of barley in animals.

Comparative Population Growth of the PsocidLiposcelis yunnaniensis(Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) on Different Diets

In this study, we investigated the population growth of the Liposcelis yunnaniensis (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) feeding on ten different diets. Out of the ten diets, eight were made of plain cereals namely wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), corn ( Zea mays L.), barley ( Hordeum vulgar L.), oats ( Avena sativa L.), rice ( Oryza sative L.), and sorghum ( Sorghum bicolour L.) while two were the artificial diets named Nayak wheat diet and Universal diet. The population growth was recorded as corn &gt; wheat &gt; universal diet &gt; hulled barley &gt; rice (hulls intact) &gt; barley (hulls intact) &gt; sorghum &gt; Nayak wheat diet &gt; oats &gt; hulled rice. After 32 d culture, the initial 5 psocids developed to the populations as 41.8 ± 4.26, 41.5 ± 4.09 and 39.1 ± 7.64 on corn, wheat and universal diet, respectively. Meanwhile, psocids feeding on Nayak wheat diet, oats and hulled rice had significantly lower populations with 25.6 ± 2.42, 22.5 ± 3.09 and 13.6 ± 2.36 respectively. Rice and barley were included in the diets with and without hulls to see their effect on population growth. In case of barley, hulls had no significant effect on population growth while rice with hulls had significantly higher populations than rice alone. This study has confirmed the relative level of suitability of different cereals for this species when damaged. We have described a method to get the uniform age adults that can be helpful in research experiments.

The thickness of the intestinal mucous layer in the colon of rats fed various sources of non-digestible carbohydrates is positively correlated with the pool of SCFA but negatively correlated with the proportion of butyric acid in digesta

The present experiment aimed to study the influence of six sources of non-digestible carbohydrates (NDC) on the mucous layer in the colon of rats. The NDC sources used were as follows: cellulose (C); pectin (P); inulin; resistant starch (RS); barley hulls. The diets contained 108-140 g NDC/kg DM. A fibre-free (FF) diet served as a control. The diets were fed to forty-eight rats for 34-41 d. The thickness of the total mucous layer in the colon was increased (P < 0.05) in rats fed C, P and RS when compared with rats fed a FF diet. In the colon, positive correlations were observed between the total thickness of the mucous layer and the area of neutral mucins, the pool of SCFA and the pool of acetic acid, while it was negatively correlated with the proportion of butyrate. The total thickness of the mucous layer was not correlated with the MUC gene transcription. The transcription of the gene MUC2 was negatively correlated (P = 0.04), whereas the transcription of MUC3 was positively correlated (P = 0.05) with the butyrate pool in the caecum. No correlations between the MUC2 or MUC3 transcription and SCFA were found in the colon. Hence, the regulation of the MUC genes differs between the compartments of the hindgut and, within compartments, the MUC genes may be regulated differently. In conclusion, a diet providing a large pool of SCFA with a low proportion of butyrate in the colon stimulates the formation of a thick mucous layer, which probably benefits intestinal health.

Direct hydrogen production from cellulosic waste materials with a single-step dark fermentation process

Biohydrogen production from cellulosic waste materials using dark fermentation is a promising technology for producing renewable energy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate residual cellulosic materials generated from local sources for their H 2 production potential without any pretreatment. Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405, a cellulolytic, thermophilic bacterium that has been shown to be capable of H 2 production on both cellobiose and α-cellulose substrates, was used in simultaneous batch fermentation experiments with dried distillers grain (DDGs), barley hulls (BH) and fusarium head blight contaminated barley hulls (CBH) as the carbon source. Overall, the dried distillers grain produced the highest concentration of hydrogen gas at 1.27 mmol H 2/glucose equivalent utilized. CBH and BH produced 1.18 and 1.24 mmol H 2/glucose equivalent utilized, respectively. Overall, this study indicates that hydrogen derived from a variety of cellulosic waste biomass sources is a possible candidate for the development of sustainable energy.

Bench-Scale Fluidized-Bed Pyrolysis of Switchgrass for Bio-Oil Production

The U.S. biomass initiative is counting on lignocellulosic conversion to boost the quantities of biofuels currently produced from starches in order to achieve much needed energy security in the future. However, with current challenges in fermentation of lignocellulosic material to ethanol, other methods of converting biomass to usable energy have received consideration nationally. One thermochemical technique, fast pyrolysis, is being considered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers of the USDA for processing energy crops such as switchgrass and other agricultural residues, e.g., barley hulls and alfalfa stems for bio-oil (pyrolysis oil or pyrolysis liquids) production. A 2.5 kg/h biomass fast pyrolyzer has been developed at ARS and tested for switchgrass conversion. The unit has provided useful data such as energy requirements and product yields that can be used as design parameters for larger systems based on the processing of perennial energy crops. Bio-oil yields greater than 60% by mass have been demonstrated for switchgrass, with energy conversion efficiencies ranging from 52 to 81%. The results show that char yielded would suffice in providing all the energy required for the endothermic pyrolysis reaction process. The composition of the noncondensable gas produced has been initially characterized. Initial mass and energy balances have been calculated based on this system, yielding useful parameters for future economic and design studies.

The influence of nutritional and management factors on piglet weight gain to weaning in a commercial herd in Denmark

The effects of weaning age, type of creep diet and the classification of piglets as 'eaters' or 'non eaters' of creep feed on weight gain to weaning were examined. Four antimicrobial-free diets were offered from day 14 of lactation: (i) wheat-soy based diet with animal and vegetable ('mixed') protein sources (COMM), (ii) heat-processed rice (HPR) with barley hulls and potato starch and mixed protein sources (RBPS), (iii) HPR with sugar-beet pulp and mixed protein sources (RSBP), and (iv) HPR with mixed protein sources (R). Pigs were weaned at an average of either 27 (early) or 33 (late) days of age. A dye (indigo carmine) was added to each diet at day 24 of lactation in both groups to classify piglets as 'eaters' or 'non eaters' of creep feed, based on appearance or non-appearance, respectively, of dye in faeces. Pigs weaned late weighed 1.4 kg more (P 0.05).

Association between butyrate and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in gut contents and faeces in weaning piglets

Abstract The concentration and composition of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in gastrointestinal and faecal samples were studied in weaning pigs fed different amounts and composition dietary fibre (DF). In Trial 1 a total of 50 castrated piglets were fed five experimental diets with varying contents of citrus pectin (soluble fibre) and barley hulls (insoluble fibre) and gastrointestinal contents were collected at euthanasia 9 days after weaning. In Trial 2, 120 pair-wise penned piglets were allocated to the same experimental diets as in Trial 1 (24 piglets per treatment), and fresh faecal samples were collected 5 and 32 days after weaning. There was no difference in the concentrations of SCFA caused by dietary treatments, but across treatments there was a correlation between concentration of SCFA and the proportion of butyrate. The correlation was lowest in the caecum ( r 2 = 0.22, P = 0.0007) and highest in the distal colon ( r 2 = 0.45, P = 0.0001). In faeces there was no relationship 5 days after weaning ( r 2 = 0.004. P = 0.64) but a correlation of r 2 = 0.25 ( P = 0.0001) 32 days after weaning. The results suggest that adaptive changes and differences between piglets in fermentative capacity immediately after weaning are associated not only with a higher concentration of SCFA but also a changed fermentation profile.

The effects of weaning age, diet composition, and categorisation of creep feed intake by piglets on diarrhoea and performance after weaning

This study investigated the effects of weaning age, diet, and classification of piglets as ‘eaters’ or ‘non eaters’ of creep feed in lactation, on production and diarrhoea after weaning. Four antimicrobial-free diets were offered in lactation and for 14 days after weaning: (i) wheat–soy based diet with animal and vegetable (‘mixed’) protein sources (COMM), (ii) heat-processed rice (HPR) with barley hulls and potato starch and mixed protein sources (RBHPS), (iii) HPR with sugar-beet pulp and mixed protein sources (RSBP), and (iv) HPR with mixed protein sources (R). Piglets were individually examined for diarrhoea daily for 14 days after weaning, and antibiotic treatments were individually recorded. Faecal swabs were taken on day 10 after weaning and scored for β-haemolytic Escherichia coli . There were significant main effects of weaning age and diet (both P < 0.001) on daily gain between weaning and 14 days after weaning. Pigs weaned later grew 50 g/day more than pigs weaned earlier, and pigs fed the COMM diet grew slower than pigs fed the rice-based diets. The number of antibiotic treatments was influenced by diet ( P < 0.001), with most treatments (2.1) given to pigs fed the diet RBHPS. Faecal score was influenced by a weaning age and diet interaction ( P < 0.01). There was no correlation ( P > 0.05) between the number of antibiotics treatments and the E. coli score.

Microstructure development of chars derived from high-temperature pyrolysis of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) hulls

Fast pyrolysis of biomass is a thermochemical conversion process that provides an economic production of pyrolysis oils/bio-oils. The process also results in a residual solid residue, char, that comprises carbon and mineral ash that can be a potential source of fuel or a valuable co-product. Depending on the exposure time and temperature, pyrolysis can increase the interfacial surface areas of the residual char thereby enhancing its absorptive capacity. Char residues can be used for physical or chemical absorption and as catalyst support or base material for fertilizers. The reactions that occur during char combustion or gasification are heterogeneous hence the reaction rates are microstructure dependent. Ashes from biomass derived chars can be high either in calcium or silica with the latter exceeding 90% levels in certain grain hull residues. Depending on the microstructural transformations which occur during thermal degradation of the biomass, silica-laden ashes can be a potential source of pozzolan for the construction industry. In this study, the microstructure of the chars derived from fast pyrolysis of barley-hull was studied using environmental scanning electron microscopy under low vacuum conditions. The results indicate a gradual increase in convoluted microstructure related to the superficial organization of epidermal cells, including stomata and trichomes that eventually assume the form of various morphotypes of phytoliths. Characterization of the temporal events of high temperature evolution of the hull microstructure provides practical implications of its combustion reactivities and also provides information useful for predicting potential masonry applications for the resulting ash.

Intestinal morphology and enzymatic activity in newly weaned pigs fed contrasting fiber concentrations and fiber properties1

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of fiber source and concentration on morphological characteristics, mucin staining pattern, and mucosal enzyme activities in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. The experiment included 50 pigs from 10 litters weaned at 4 wk of age (BW 8.6 +/- 1.4 kg) and divided into 5 treatment groups. Diets containing fiber of various physico-chemical properties and concentrations were formulated to contain 73, 104, or 145 g of dietary fiber/kg of DM. The diets were based on raw wheat and barley flours. Pectin and barley hulls, representing soluble and insoluble fiber sources, respectively, were used to increase the fiber concentration. The pigs were fed the experimental diets for 9 d, and then the pigs were euthanized and the entire gastrointestinal tract was removed. Tissue samples were taken from the mid and distal small intestine and from the mid colon. Inclusion of pectin in the diets significantly decreased (P < 0.001) ADFI and ADG compared with pigs fed no pectin. The villi and the crypts were shorter in pigs fed pectin-containing diets, but the villous height/crypt depth ratio was unaltered. Pectin significantly decreased the area of mucins in the crypts of the small intestine, indicating that the pigs fed the pectin-containing diet would probably be more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria, although this cannot be separated from the impact on ADFI. The lectin-binding pattern of the intestinal mucosa was unaffected by diet. The activity of lactase and maltase was increased in pigs fed diets with high fiber content, whereas sucrase activity was increased in pigs fed the pectin-containing diets. The activity of the peptidases, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV, was increased when feeding high fiber diets, whereas the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase remained unaffected by the experimental diets. In conclusion, the reduced feed intake observed with the pectin-containing diets could explain the lower villous height and crypt depth observed in this study. However, direct effects of pectin also are possible, and thus further study is warranted. Feeding pigs high insoluble fiber diets improved gut morphology by increasing villi length and increased mucosal enzyme activity when compared with pigs fed pectin-containing diets. The mucin content as determined by staining characteristics suggests that pigs fed high insoluble fiber diets might be better protected against pathogenic bacteria than pigs fed diets high in soluble fiber.