Corn Juice Research Articles

Heteroatom-regulated iron single-atom nanozymes for universal colorimetric discrimination of mycotoxins and metal ions

Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) have garnered considerable attentions in biosensing due to their superior catalytic properties. Although significant progress has been made in this field, designing SAzymes with satisfactory catalytic performance and constructing high-throughput sensor platforms remains a major challenge. Herein, we design and fabricate an iron single-atom catalyst with the optimal Fe-N3PS active moiety supported on N, P, S co-doped hollow carbon nanocage (Fe-N3PS/HC). As expected, the prepared Fe-N3PS/HC SAzyme shows outstanding peroxidase-like activity and kinetics. Moreover, the density-functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the doped P and S atoms endow Fe moiety with unique electronic structure due to the regulation of atomic configuration, and thus improve the peroxide-like activity of Fe-N3PS/HC SAzyme kinetically and thermodynamically. A three-channel nanozyme sensor array combing Fe-N3PS/HC SAzyme and three colorimetric reactions is established for colorimetric discrimination of mycotoxins and metal ions. Different analytes have varying interactions with Fe-N3PS/HC and diverse degrees of catalytic oxidation abilities, thus resulting in fingerprint-like colorimetric response for the analytes. The statistical analysis results show that the sensor array displays excellent discrimination ability for five mycotoxins and ten metal ions, and perform well in quantitative determination at the level of ng/mL and μM. Additionally, the sensor array allows precise identification even in multicomponent mixtures and real samples (e.g., corn juice and actual water sample), demonstrating its potential in the applications of food safety and environment monitoring.

Pemberdayaan masyarakat dalam peningkatan gizi balita melalui olahan produk berbasis pangan lokal jagung di Desa Mekarjaya

Nutritional problems can hinder the momentum of development of Indonesia's golden generation in 2045. Nutritional problems are also related to the availability of food, where local food that is high in nutrients can be used to fulfill the nutrition of children under five. The local food commonly grown in Mekarjaya Village is corn. Therefore, this community service aims to increase the understanding of posyandu cadre mothers and parents of PAUD students regarding the importance of toddler nutrition and provide insight regarding the processing of local corn-based food products. The methods used are observation, lecture, discussion and demonstration. The activity was held on August 28 2023 with 17 participants, namely posyandu cadres and parents of PAUD students. The material is delivered by expert. The demonstration was carried out by providing a practical guide to processing corn into corn juice, corn pudding and corn dregs nuggets. From the results of the activity satisfaction questionnaire, it was found that the time for organizing the activity, preparation and media used were good. The participants were satisfied with the method and clarity of the material.

Sparked ZnO nanoparticles-based electrochemical sensor for onsite determination of glyphosate residues.

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) is well known nonselective and broad-spectrum herbicide that has been extensively used in agricultural areas around the world to increase agricultural productivity. However, the utilization of glyphosate can cause environmental contamination and health problems. Therefore, the detection of glyphosate with a fast, low-cost, and portable sensor is still important. In this work, the electrochemical sensor has been developed by modifying of working surface on the screen-printed silver electrode (SPAgE) with a mixtures solution between zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) by the drop-casting process. The ZnO-NPs have been prepared based on a sparking method by using pure zinc wires. The ZnO-NPs/PDDA/SPAgE sensor shows a wide range of glyphosate detection (0μM-5 mM). The limit of detection of ZnO-NPs/PDDA/SPAgE is 2.84μM. The ZnO-NPs/PDDA/SPAgE sensor exhibits high selective towards glyphosate with minimal interference from other commonly used herbicides including paraquat, butachlor-propanil and glufosinate-ammonium. Furthermore, the ZnO-NPs/PDDA/SPAgE sensor demonstrates a good estimation of glyphosate concentration in real samples such as green tea, corn juice and mango juice.

Amphiphilic polymers facilitated solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for direct extraction and analysis of zearalenone and zearalanone in corn juice samples.

In this work, amphiphilic polymers synthesized from carboxylated carbon nanotubes stabilized high internal phase emulsions are demonstrated to be capable of direct extracting zearalenone and zearalanone in samples consisting of an oil-water emulsion system. Under optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacities for zearalenone and zearalanone are 17.27 and 13.26mg/g. The adsorption is mainly attributed to π-π interaction, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen-bonding interaction for zearalenone and zearalanone. The adsorption isotherms reveal that the adsorption of zearalenone and zearalanone on amphiphilic polymers synthesized from carboxylated carbon nanotubes stabilized high internal phase emulsions follows Freundlich model with multilayer and heterogeneous adsorption due to the presence of multiple kinds of adsorption sites. The relative recoveries of the spiked zearalenone and zearalanone in corn juice samples range from 85% to 93% with relative standard deviations lower than 3.52%. The results manifest the high efficiency of amphiphilic polymers synthesized from carboxylated carbon nanotubes stabilized high internal phase emulsions for the adsorption and separation of analytes in the oil-water emulsion system. This study provides a new perspective on adsorbent engineering for the adsorption application in heterogeneous media.

Technological exploration and antioxidant activity determination of purple compound fruit wine

When it comes to processing, purple pepper and purple corn are poorly utilised even though they are rich in anthocyanins and other nutrients. Therefore, studies focusing on their processing are vital for resolving their underutilisation. In the present work, purple pepper and corn were used to prepare a compound fruit wine. The fermentation process parameters were optimised using single factor tests and response surface design. The sensory characteristics of the compound fruit wine were used as an indicator. The antioxidant potential of the purple compound fruit wine was also assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging rates. A purple compound fruit wine with a sensory score of 94.2 and 8.6% alcohol by volume was obtained using a combination of 72.0% purple pepper juice and 28.0% purple corn juice (with an initial sugar content of 23.3%), followed by inoculation with 6.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fermentation for 7.8 d at 23°C. The resulting purple compound fruit wine had a typical harmonious fruit aroma and a mellow taste. Furthermore, the content of anthocyanins in purple compound fruit wine was 1.38 ± 0.14 mg/mL, and the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against DPPH· and ·OH were 51.31 and 49.08 mg/mL, respectively. This optimised fermentation process could serve as a theoretical basis for the industrial utilisation of purple pepper and corn.

Capacity Building of a Self-Reliant Model Community for Cholangiocarcinoma Prevention by Producing Fruit and Vegetable Juice Products in a High-Risk Area of Thailand.

This participatory action research aims to develop healthy fruit and vegetable juice products (FVPs) to enhance people's income and quality of life (QOL) in a community with the highest prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in Thailand. We randomly sampled study areas from 25 homes in a Thai community to solve poverty and improve QOL. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. Moreover, qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The community management system relies on local resources under religious inspiration. Academics also keep developing FVPs from local raw materials planted by organic farming under "Nong Lak Rak Sukapab." The product's nutritional value was measured by In-House and Nutrition Labeling Methods from National Food Institute Laboratory (IEC/ISO17025). According to the Bureau of Nutrition, a 230 ml bottle of each wheatgrass and corn juice contains nutrients beneficial to health and necessary for the body. In addition, the community has participated in production planning, marketing, distribution, and household accounting. As a result, average monthly household income and QOL increased with statistical significance after the project implementation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that improving communities' capacity to be health leaders by producing FVPs to prevent CCA in high-risk areas is critical to early disease prevention and community health care. These issues can also be applied to public policy implications for other regions and diseases in order to emphasize community health care and long-term community development.

Methods of using bentonite powder in cleaning sugar corn stem juice

Sugar syrups are used by beekeepers as an additional source of food for bees during the off-season (late autumn and early spring). It was found that the scientific and practical results of the scientists of Uzbekistan to solve these problems are insufficient. In order to address these shortcomings to some extent, the research has selected sugar corn juice, which is rich in carbohydrates, various vitamins and micro and macro elements, suitable for the climatic conditions of the Republic. The main task of our research is to develop a method of extracting the juice by processing them, purifying them from various physicochemical compounds and feeding them to bees as sufficient raw material base for the production of different varieties of sugar corn juice selected as the object of research. The purpose of our research is to scientifically substantiate the methods of processing the varieties of sugar corn “Uzbekistan 18”, “Karabosh” and “Oranjevoe-160” to extract the juice from the stem, purify them and use them as food for bees.

Development of nanoparticles derived from corn as mass producible bionanoparticles with anticancer activity

Recent studies showed that plant-derived nanoparticles (NPs) can be easily produced in high yields and have potential applications as therapeutic agents or delivery carriers for bioactive molecules. In this study, we selected corn as it is inexpensive to grow and mass-produced globally. Super sweet corn was homogenized in water to obtain corn juice, which was then centrifuged, filtered through a 0.45-μm-pore size syringe filter, and ultracentrifuged to obtain NPs derived from corn, or corn-derived NPs (cNPs). cNPs obtained were approximately 80 nm in diameter and negatively charged (− 17 mV). cNPs were taken up by various types of cells, including colon26 tumor cells and RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells, with selective reduction of the proliferation of colon26 cells. Moreover, cNPs induced tumor necrosis factor-α release from RAW264.7 cells. cNPs and RAW264.7 in combination significantly suppressed the proliferation of colon26/fluc cells. Daily intratumoral injections of cNPs significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous colon26 tumors in mice, with no significant body weight loss. These results indicate excellent anti-tumor activity of cNPs.

Exploring the Use of Polyols, Corn, and Beet Juice for Decreasing the Freezing Point of Brine Solution for Deicing of Pavements

Deicing of pavements is essential to ensure safe and timely movement of traffic in geographical locations where snow and ice events are anticipated. State and local municipalities employ brine solution with 23.3 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) available in the form of rock salt to deice the pavements. Unlike water, the brine solution does not freeze until the temperature falls below −21.0 °C, i.e., the freezing point of water is depressed by −21.0 °C with the addition of 23.3 wt% NaCl. The depressed freezing point of the brine solution plays a key role in deicing pavements. Unfortunately, a further increase in rock salt content does not lower the freezing point of the brine solution. In this study, different combinations of agricultural products such as polyols including sorbitol, maltitol, and mannitol in brine (23.3 wt% of NaCl in water), and NaCl-juice (corn and beet juice) were investigated to achieve freezing point depressions below −21.0 °C for potential deicing applications in extremely cold areas. Different weight fractions of polyols-brine solutions ranging from 7.14% to 27.77% were considered, and corresponding freezing points were determined. While the sorbitol-brine solution exhibited the lowest freezing point of −38.1 °C at a higher concentration, the maltitol-brine solution exhibited a freezing point of −35.6 °C at the same concentration. Based on the °Brix value, beet juice had almost three times more soluble solids and a lower freezing point compared to corn juice. Adding 23.3 wt% of NaCl in 70% corn juice lowered the freezing point up to −23.5 °C.

Pemanfaatan jagung (Zea mays) sebagai bahan tambahan dalam pembuatan permen Jelly

Candy is a snack that is loved by many people, especially children because it has a sweet taste. The texture of the candy is divided into hard candy (hard candy) and soft candy (soft candy). One example of soft candy is jelly candy. Jelly is a candy made from water or plant juice and gel-forming material. The material that can be used in making jelly candy is juice from corn. Corn is a cereal crop that contains starch or sugar, this corn is usually needed in the industrial world as feed or in the food processing industry. The purpose of this study was to produce corn jelly candy products favored by panelists through hedonic testing, hedonic quality, moisture content, ash content, and pH in accordance with SNI (Indonesian National Standard). This research method is experimental with the addition of corn juice in the manufacture of jelly candy with formulations of 0 grams, 90 grams, 100 grams, and 110 grams, then tested the level of preference (hedonic), hedonic quality, water content, ash content, and acidity. The results showed that the best formulation was 110 grams with hedonic values of color, texture, aroma, and flavor parameters which were highly favored by the panelists, hedonic quality values were very rubbery, the aroma was very flavorful typical of corn and the taste was very corny. Value of water content of 7.80%, ash content of 0.33%, and pH or acidity level 6.

Nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of purple sweet corn juice before and after boiling.

Sweet corn juice is becoming increasingly popular in China. In order to provide valuable health-related information to consumers, the nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of raw and boiled purple sweet corn juices were herein investigated. Sugars, antinutrients, total free phenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity were analyzed by conventional chemical methods. The viscosity and stability of juices were determined by Ubbelohde viscosity meter and centrifugation, respectively. Boiling process could elevate viscosity, stability and sugar content, and reduce antinutrients, total free phenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity in corn juice. In addition, short time boiling efficiently reduced the degradation of anthocyanins during subsequent refrigeration. The content of amino acids, vitamin B1/B2 and E were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry was used for the analysis of fatty acids and aroma compounds. Several aroma compounds not previously reported in corn were identified, including 1-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-butenal, (Z)-3-nonen-1-ol, 3-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-hexadiene, and 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol. Interestingly, the boiling process had no apparent effect on the amino acids profile, but it caused a 45.8% loss of fatty acids in the juice by promoting the retention of fatty acids in the corn residue. These results provide detailed information that could be used for increasing consumers' knowledge of sweet corn juice, further development of sweet corn juice by food producers, and maize breeding programs.

Sandwich structured membrane adsorber with metal organic frameworks for aflatoxin B1 removal

Aflatoxins as toxic substances produced by microorganisms widely existed in food crops and detoxification of aflatoxins is highly desired to avoid their leaking into the environment. Herein, a novel combination strategy of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous membrane was used to prepare membrane adsorbent for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) removal. Firstly, the MOFs particles were readily fixed on a porous membrane by reverse filtration. Subsequently, polydopamine (PDA) coating and further charged polymer grafting were employed for sealing the MOFs particles. By systematically studying four kinds of MOFs particles for AFB1 adsorption, the MIL-100 and the resultant MIL-100 loaded membrane outperformed the other MOFs materials. Through comprehensively evaluating five different sealing approaches, it was found that the charge of the grafted polymers on the membrane was critical for AFB1 adsorption. The PDA/alginate dialdehyde (ADA) modified MIL-100 loaded membrane prepared with PDA coating and ADA grafting for 30 min, could achieve the highest AFB1 removal efficiency of 76.4% and the membrane stability was greatly improved, meanwhile the water permeate flux was barely affected by the additional layers. A good reusability could be realized by a facile desorption process and the AFB1 removal efficiency kept at 61.8% after five reuse cycles. When dealing with real corn juice, the AFB1 removal efficiency in flow-through mode was lower than that obtained in dipping incubation mode, because severer membrane fouling occurred during dynamic adsorption which blocked the adsorption sites on the membrane. The present work not only demonstrated a reliable and effective approach to synthesize robust MOFs-loaded membrane for AFB1 removal, but also offered new insights into micropollutant removal with MOFs derived materials.

Evaluation of nutritive values and consumer acceptance of sweet corn (Zea mays) juice as a recovery beverage for exercising people

Carbohydrate-protein (CP) drinks have been shown to exert better effect in promoting faster muscle recovery and rehydration in exercising individuals. However, not all active people, particularly Asians can consume milk-based CP drinks that would trigger symptoms of lactose intolerance and discomfort. Thus, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of sweet corn (Zea mays) beverage as an alternative recovery drink for active people due to its high content of carbohydrate and protein as well as lactose-free. The first phase of the study was the formulation of sweet corn juice that match the specific criteria for an effective recovery drink. Next, the study on the acceptance assessment of the new formulated sweet corn juice was conducted. The results show that the product contains high carbohydrate and protein contents which met the criteria for recovery beverage for active people. Besides, the results of sensory and hedonic evaluation demonstrate that the product was well-liked and accepted by majority of the consumers. To conclude, sweet corn juice which is lactose-free may offer extra benefits in such a way that it will provide alternative recovery drink that can be consumed by lactose intolerant active people.

A facile enzymatic approach for selective detection of γ-aminobutyric acid using corn-derived fluorescent carbon dots

Abstract A facile and cost-effective enzymatic fluorescent method was developed by using eco-friendly carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from corn juice (Zea mays) via the hydrothermal method. The CDs derived from corn juice are termed as CCDs. Herein, we present a novel enzymatic fluorescence sensing approach for the detection of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a potential inhibitory neurotransmitter. For this purpose, CCDs were functionalized with 3-aminophenyl boronic acid (APBA) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-Hydroxy-succinimide (EDC/NHS) coupling reaction. After the functionalization of the CCDs, these are termed as CANs. The CANs by utilizing enzyme GABase were successfully employed to detect GABA by fluorescence quenching through electron transfer between enzyme and substrate owing to the formation of a reduced form of NADPH. The proposed method allows detecting GABA in the linear range of 0–90 μM with a detection limit of 6.46 μM. Further, this sensor was also applied in biological samples such as human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum for the determination of GABA, which demonstrated better recovery results of 93.2–101.5% and 96.4–104.6%, respectively.

Quality improvement of yogurt through the addition of corn and tomato juice

This research aims to determine the effect of the addition of corn and tomato juice concentrations on the quality of yogurt produced. The method used is factorial completely randomized design, which consists of two treatment factors. The first factor is the comparison of the concentration of corn juice with the S code, consisting of 4 levels, namely: S1 is 0%, S2 is 10%, S3 is 20% and S4 is = 30%. The second factor is the ratio of tomato juice with password T, consisting of 4 levels, namely: T1 is 5%, T2 is 10%, T3 is 15% and T4 is 20%. The combination of treatment ratio concentrations of corn extract and tomato juice gave no significant effect on vitamin C and the number of bacteria, but was significantly different from the total acid and very significantly different from the total solids and organoleptic values. The best quality of yogurt obtained at 30% corn juice concentration and 5% sari tomato concentration.

Changes in color and carotenoids of sweet corn juice during high‐temperature heating

Background and objectivesChanges in color and carotenoid content of sweet corn juice due to thermal treatment were studied. The visual color was assessed using the CIELAB system, and predominant carotenoids were identified by the C30‐HPLC‐APCI‐MS technique.FindingsThe color L* and b* values were overall decreased, while ΔE value increased to some extent during heating treatment. First‐order kinetic models were well applied to describe carotenoid changes with activation energies of 12.34–17.66 kJ/mol. Several carotenoids showed important changes and had different susceptibilities to high temperature. According to the principal component analysis, PC1 was associated with lutein, zeaxanthin, and α‐cryptoxanthin contents and PC2 with L*×b*/a* value. Limited degradation of carotenoids in juice system led to an imperceptible color change. However, the color L* value was a good indicator monitoring the changes in zeaxanthin and lutein of sweet corn juice.ConclusionsThere was a good relationship between visual color L* value and dominant zeaxanthin/lutein content in sweet corn juice during thermal processing, suggesting the suitability of the visual color parameter in place of carotenoid content for online quality control.Significance and noveltyAlthough limited degradation of carotenoids in sweet corn juice system led to an imperceptible color change, the color L* value could be applied for monitoring the changes in zeaxanthin and lutein.

Thermal Isomerization and Degradation Behaviours of Carotenoids in Simulated Sweet Corn Juice

The thermal behaviour of carotenoids may affect the nutritional value and flavour quality of sweet corn juice. In this study, carotenoid compositions and volatile components in simulated sweet corn juice at elevated temperatures from 100 to 130 °C were identified and compared by C30-HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS and HS-SPME-GC-MS methods. The result showed that with the increase of temperature, concentrations of total and trans carotenoids in sweet corn juice model decreased gradually, as compared with all-trans α-carotene and all-trans β-carotene, oxy carotenoids (such as all-trans lutein, all-trans zeaxanthin and all-trans β-cryptoxanthin degraded faster), especially for carotenoid epoxides (such as neoxanthin). Meanwhile, the concentration of total cis carotenoids was related with the formation of some oxidative products and volatile compounds. Levels of major volatile components derived from carotenoids in sweet corn juice model including 4-ethyltoluene, p-cymene, 2-ethyl-1, 4-dimethylbenzene, 1, 2, 3, 4-tetramethylbenzene, dodecane, BHT, 1,7-dimethyl naphthalene, hexanal, 2-nonenal, undecanal, benzaldehyde, geranyl acetone, etc. increased with temperature. Some new volatiles such as 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene, naphthalene, pentadecane, acetaldehyde, β-ionone, limonene, tridecanone, etc. were also formed under higher temperatures. It is suggested that the aromatic compounds containing benzene ring and alkane are produced by degradation of carotenoids, which affect the overall flavour of sweet corn juice.

The Optimization of Corn Juice Beverage Processing Technology

Corn residue is used as raw material, and through the study of corn juice processing, we can optimize the machining process, reduce processing costs, increase economic efficiency. It is found through the test that the optimum corn processing time for the precooking is 1h, liquefaction enzyme dosage is 30 activity unit every gram, reaction time is 1.5h, glucoamylase ratio is 120 activity unit every gram, saccharification time is 1.5h, 40MPa homogeneous for two times, sterilization at 135 °C ultra high temperature for 10s. Under these conditions, the production of maize corn residue has high sugar content with a small amount of enzyme dosage, the production cost is reduced, the product stability is greatly enhanced, and the shelf life is effectively extended.

Evaluation of annual ryegrass straw:corn juice silage with cattle and water buffalo: digestibility in cattle vs. buffalo, and growth performance and subsequent lactational performance of Holstein heifers

Two experiments were undertaken to evaluate ryegrass straw:corn juice silage (35:65 wt. wt. ) as a basal feed for Holstein heifers and to determine digestibility of this silage in water buffaloes and Hereford cows. In experiment 1, (143 d) 48 pregnant heifers (16 animals; 3 pens per treatment) were fed (1) mixed cool season grass hay (GH), (2) straw:corn juice silage (S), and (3) S + 125 g fishmeal d −1 (SF). All animals were also fed 2.27 kg concentrate per day. Average daily gain (kg) was 1.00, 0.82 and 1.02 for GH, S and SF groups, respectively. ADG in the SF group was higher ( P < 0.05) than in the S group. Roughage DM intake was 7.77, 6.45 and 6.02 (kg d −1) for the GH, S and SF treatments, respectively. Roughage intakes were lower ( P < 0.05) for S and SF than for GH and lower ( P < 0.05) for SF than F. Feed efficiency was 12.91, 14.31 and 10.96 for H, S and SF, respectively. Feed efficiency was better in SF vs. S ( P < 0.05). Subsequent milk yields and composition data were obtained for 300 days post-partum after the completion of the feeding trial. Milk, milk fat and SNF yields (kg d −1) were 30.91, 1.13, 1.03; 31.5, 1.19, 1.05; and 32.06, 1.19 and 1.07 for H, S, and SF, respectively. None of the milk production parameters differed ( P > 0.05) among animals from the different pre-partum treatments. In experiment 2, six water buffaloes and six Hereford cows were fed the same silage as fed to experiment 1 animals. The silage was mixed with 0.39% chromic oxide and fed for 15 days. Fecal grab samples were obtained over several days. Digestibility (percent) of DM, CP, NDF and ADF was calculated by determination of the chromic oxide concentration in feed and feces. Respective apparent digestibility values for buffaloes and cows were: dry matter, 47 and 40%; crude protein, 47 and 34%; neutral detergent fiber, 47 and 41%; and acid detergent fiber, 43 and 35%. All digestibility parameters were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in buffaloes than in cows. In conclusion, straw:corn juice silage was equivalent to grass hay in supporting weight gain and feed efficiency of Holstein heifers, and FM supplementation of the silage significantly improved performance. There was no effect of pre-partum feeding of grass straw:corn juice silage on subsequent lactational performance of Holstein heifers as compared to the control diet containing grass hay.

Evaluation of grass straw:corn juice silage as a ruminant feedstuff: digestibility, straw ammoniation and supplementation with by-pass protein

Three experiments were undertaken to determine the feeding value of grass straw:corn juice silages compared to grass hay. In experiment 1 (70 d), the four basal diets were: 1) grass hay (GH) used as control treatment; 2) tall fescue straw:corn juice silage (50:50 wt./wt.)(FCJ); 3) urea treated tall fescue straw:corn juice silage (50:50, wt./wt.)(UFCJ); and 4) annual ryegrass straw:corn juice silage (65:35, wt./wt.)(RCJ). Ammoniation was performed by spraying the straw with urea solution having 1% raw soybean extract (urease source) to provide 3% urea (dry matter basis). Thirty-six beef heifers (9 per treatment) were fed these roughages ad libitum with a concentrate supplement (1.36 kg d −1). Out of nine heifers allotted per treatment, four were fed individually while the remaining five were group-fed. Feed intake (FI) (kg), average daily gain (ADG) (kg d −1) and feed efficiency (FE) (kg −1 BWG) in individually-fed heifers in experiment 1 were: 5.16, 0.671, 7.97; 5.40, 0.557, 10.00; 4.84, 0.58, 8.41; and 4.54, 0.523, and 8.92 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ, and RCJ, respectively. In group-fed heifers, FI and ADG were: 8.33, 0.71; 5.54, 0.564; 5.41, 0.568; and 5.92, and 0.38 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ, and RCJ, respectively. No differences ( P > 0.05) were observed in any trait, except that ADG in group-fed animals on the GH treatment was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than in animals on the RCJ treatment. In experiment 2 (57 d), the same animals and same roughages were used but supplementation was changed in the FCJ, UFCJ, and RCJ treatments. In these three treatments, the concentrate was reduced to 682 g d −1, and alfalfa hay was offered at 1.36 kg d −1. The UFCJ group also received fishmeal at 125 g d −1 as a source of by-pass protein. FI (kg), ADG (kg d −1) and FE in individually-fed heifers were: 7.99, 0.91, 8.80; 8.89, 0.81, 11.33; 7.60, 0.97, 7.87; and 7.83, 0.76 and 10.37 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ, and RCJ, respectively. ADG was higher ( P < .05) in UFCJ vs. RCJ and FE was higher ( P < 0.05) in FCJ vs. UFCJ. In group-fed animals, FI and ADG (kg d −1) were: 8.43, 0.76; 7.19, 0.67; 6.79, 0.70; and 7.14, and 0.55 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ, and RCJ, respectively. ADG was higher ( P < 0.05) in GH vs. RCJ. In experiment 3, 12 sheep were used to determine in vivo digestibility of the four basal feeds (without supplementation) used in the first two experiments. Percent apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), NDF, and ADF was: 60, 59, 46, 52, 56; 55, 56, 51, 46, 49; 59, 60, 74, 51, 57; and 55, 56, 30, 43, 50 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ and RCJ, respectively. Differences between GH and UFCJ were not significant ( P > 0.05) for DM, GE, NDF, and ADF digestibilities; however, CP digestibility differed ( P < 0.05). A similar pattern was noted between FCJ and RCJ. All digestibility parameters were higher ( P < 0.05) in UFCJ vs. FCJ. Digestible energy (MJ kg −1) was: 9.690, 9.569, 10.079 and 9.519 for GH, FCJ, UFCJ and RCJ, respectively. Feed intake was similar among the four treatments. It is concluded that straw:corn juice silages are about equal to medium quality grass hay in feeding value. Supplementation with alfalfa hay and fishmeal further improved performance.