Rate Of Digestion Research Articles

Wheat silage is an underexplored forage in ruminant nutrition that offers potential benefits due to its high crude protein content and capacity to mitigate methane emissions. However, little is known about its interaction with feed additives. This study evaluated the effects of monensin (25 ppm) and narasin (13 ppm) on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of wheat silage using a randomized complete block design with three treatments and seven replicates per incubation. Gas production was recorded over 48 h, and fermentation parameters, including pH, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles, were determined. Both ionophores maintained a higher ruminal pH compared to the control (p < 0.01) and reduced total gas production, ME, and IVOMD (p < 0.01), without significant differences between monensin and narasin. No effects were observed on total VFA production, acetate-to-propionate ratio, or ammonia concentration, although isobutyrate was reduced (p < 0.01). Fermentation kinetics revealed decreased gas production and digestion rates in the slowly degradable fraction, particularly with monensin. In conclusion, ionophores modulated fermentation but did not improve digestibility or energy availability, suggesting limited nutritional benefits when wheat silage is used as the sole forage source.

Abstract Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) compared to ionophores and non-ionophore additives on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters, gas production kinetics, as well as dry matter and fiber digestibility using two forage-based diets (medium- and low-quality tropical forages). For Exp. 1, Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (CP = 9.64%) was used as the medium-quality substrate (MF), alone or in combination with an energy-protein supplement (EPS), hereafter referred to as MF and MF-S, respectively. These substrates were incubated in triplicate, and six treatments were evaluated: Control (Con—no additive); two DFM levels: DFM1x (1.9 mg), and DFM5x (9.5 mg); Monensin (Mon; 20 ppm); Narasin (Nar; 13 ppm); and Flavomycin (Flavo; 4 ppm). In Exp. 2, U. brizantha cv. Marandu (CP = 3.0%) was used as the low-quality substrate (LF), alone or in combination with EPS, and defined as LF and LF-S, respectively. The additive treatments were the same as described in Exp. 1. In both experiments, an in vitro gas production (GP) system was used in four consecutive 96-h fermentation runs. The average values obtained from three bottles within each incubation were considered as the experimental unit. The data from each experiment were analyzed using a 2 × 6 factorial design. In Exp. 1, there were no significant interactions between substrates and feed additives (P > 0.05) for GP, kinetic parameters, and digestibility. DFM1x and DFM5x and Flavo increased (P < 0.05) GP in the initial hours of incubation, while Mon and Nar reduced it compared to Con (P < 0.01). The rate of digestion for the first pool (K1) was higher for Nar vs. DFM1x, DFM5x, Mon, and Flavo, but did not differ from Con (P < 0.01). Relative to other treatments, Mon reduced K1 (P < 0.01), and Mon and Nar reduced the rate of digestion for the second pool (K2) (P < 0.01). Overall, compared with other treatments, Mon and Nar reduced nutrient digestibility (P < 0.01) and acetate: propionate ratio (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, substrate × additive interactions were observed for GP (P < 0.05). DFM1x increased (P < 0.01) GP compared with Con when substrate was LF, but did not differ (P > 0.05) from Con when LF-S was used. Mon and Nar reduced (P < 0.05) GP, rate digestion, and increased (P < 0.05) lag time compared to Con, DFM1x, DFM5x, and Flavo. Digestibility was not affected (P > 0.05) by DFM, but ionophores decreased it (P < 0.01) compared to Con. Total VFA did not differ (P = 0.11) among treatments, but Mon and Nar reduced (P = 0.02) acetate compared with Con and DFM1x and increased (P < 0.01) propionate compared with other treatments. These findings suggest, given increasing scrutiny of use of antibiotics and potential antimicrobial resistance uprise, DFM may be a viable alternative to ionophores without impairing ruminal fermentation.

Protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics are quantifiable metrics commonly utilized to determine the quality of a protein source. This review critically evaluates recent evidence (primarily from studies that provided commonly consumed protein-rich foods) regarding the relationship between in vivo protein digestion and amino acid absorption rates with the postprandial stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS), with an emphasis on healthy adults and critically ill patients. Ingested protein sources that elicit moderate amino acid bioavailability, including leucine, stimulate MPS rates to a comparable extent as protein sources that elicit high amino acid bioavailability in healthy young adults. Amino acid absorption kinetics appear to be modulated in critically ill patients, leading to a marked reduction in postprandial MPS rates. Preliminary studies demonstrate that enteral feeding of high dose free amino acids increase amino acid bioavailability to a greater extent than intact protein, leading to a positive whole-body net protein balance in critically ill patients. However, in practice, the high osmolarity of free amino acids leads to a high prevalence of diarrhoea and thus limits the clinical application of this intervention. The enteral provision of free amino acids represents a theoretical, but not practically-relevant, clinical nutrition strategy to mitigate the catabolic response to critical illness. Future studies are warranted to establish targeted protein/amino acid-based interventions to mitigate skeletal muscle atrophy during the metabolic care of critically ill patients.

Deproteinization and controlled starch prehydrolysis in intact pulse cotyledon cells regulates starch retrogradation and digestion.

Partially gelatinized corn and potato starch show faster digestibility after retrogradation.

Enzymatically modified starch: Structure, digestibility, energy supply, and applications.

Slow starch digestibility promotes the development of favorable feeding behaviors and metabolic health in mice.

Correlation between multi-scale structure and log-of-slope digestive kinetics of a novel slowly digestible starch: Self-assembled chempedak seed amylopectin ternary complex.

Interactions of sesamol with starches of different amylose to amylopectin ratios during co-gelatinization condition.

This study investigates the applicability of first-order enzymatic kinetics in the digestion of amorphous rice starch hydrogels. Structural characterization revealed that increased starch concentration enhances short-range molecular order, which significantly reduces enzymatic digestibility. Using a modified INFOGEST protocol, and rat experiment, both in vitro and in vivo digestion behaviors were comprehensively analyzed. Results showed that as concentration increased, the digestion rate constant (k) decreased notably, and the kinetic model shifted from first-order to zero-order. Animal metabolic experiments further supported this kinetic deviation, indicating a strong relationship between hydrocolloid structure and metabolic response. These findings highlight the limitations of using traditional first-order kinetics to describe starch digestion, suggesting that hydrocolloid concentration is a critical factor affecting digestion and metabolism. This study offers a more comprehensive approach to understanding starch behavior, with implications for dietary starch design and metabolic health research.

Dietary fiber (DF) is essential for digestive health, and wheat bran is a potential source because of its high fiber content. Extrusion processing enhances wheat bran's functional properties by modifying its structure. This study aimed to examine the effects of extrusion-modified wheat bran dietary fiber (E-WBDF) on biscuits, focusing on textural, color, and digestive characteristics, and evaluate its ability to alleviate constipation using a mouse model. E-WBDF-enriched biscuits exhibited lower brightness, deeper color, reduced hardness, and a significant decline in digestion rate compared with conventional biscuits. In the mouse model, E-WBDF biscuits increased fecal volume and moisture, shortened defecation time, and accelerated small intestine transit. The results indicate that E-WBDF can enhance the physical properties of biscuits while reducing their digestion rate, thereby exhibiting a potential therapeutic effect in alleviating constipation in the mouse model. This study provides novel insights into using E-WBDF in biscuit formulations, offering a promising strategy for developing functional foods that promote digestive health.

Abstract Feed additives, including probiotics, ionophores, and non-ionophores, can modulate the rumen microbiome, animal performance and immune response. However, most research with these additives has been conducted with high concentrate diets, and few focused on forage-based systems. This study evaluated the effects of a Bacillus-based Direct-Fed Microbial (DFM; Bacillus licheniformis 809 and Bacillus subtilis 810), compared with conventional additives (monensin, narasin, and flavomycin) on rumen fermentation kinetics using an in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique. The experimental design was a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement with two substrates - Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu (CP = 9.64%) alone or combined with an energy-protein supplement (EPS), and six feed additive treatments: Control (Con - no additive inclusion); two DFM levels (DFM1x:1.9 mg and DFM5x: 9.5 mg), Monensin (Mon: 20 ppm), Narasin (Nar: 13 ppm), and Flavomycin (Flavo: 3 ppm). Substrates were incubated in triplicates over four consecutive 96-h fermentation periods. The IVGP was recorded at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h, and fermentation kinetics (mL/g DM) were estimated using PROC NLIN in SAS. No significant substrate × additives interactions (P > 0.05) were detected; however, independent effects were significant (P < 0.05). The IVGP at 12, 24, 48, and 96 h was greater for forage plus EPS than forage alone (P < 0.001), without altering rates of digestion of both pools (K1 and K2, respectively). The DFM (DFM1x and DFM5x) and Flavo increased IVGP at 12 and 24 h, whereas Mon and Nar decreased it (P < 0.001). At 48 and 96 h, Mon reduced IVGP relative to Con and other additives, which did not differ each other (P < 0.001). At 24 h, DFM inclusion increased IVGP linearly (P < 0.05), however, it did not affect the IVGP in the first pool (V1) compared with the Con and Flavo, while Mon reduced V1. Similar results were observed for the second pool (V2), except Nar that increased V2. Specific K1 and K2 were unchanged with DFM inclusion, but decreased with Mon, whereas Nar increased K1 and decreased K2. Lag time was longer for ionophores (Mon and Nar) and shorter for Flavo than for Con, DFM1x, and DFM5x (P < 0.05). Bacillus-based probiotics increased IVGP in early fermentation, whereas ionophores reduced in vitro digestion rate and cumulative IVGP. These findings suggest that DFM may be a viable alternative to ionophores without impairing ruminal fermentation.

Polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics affect the digestion of cow's milk proteins in infant model of gastric digestion.

Raffinose esters of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro digestive behavior.

Controlling in vitro lipid digestion: Pickering emulsions with cellulose nanocrystals, chitosan and methylcellulose.

V-type starch-galloyl-based polyphenol complex stimulates GLP-1 and PYY secretion and improves satiety in mice.

Regulation of the interaction between carboxymethyl starch and whey protein isolate by tannin: Effects on their colonic targeting and stimulation of satiety hormone secretion.

Hypericin regulates the intestinal microbiota, promotes intestinal development, and improves the apparent digestible rates of nutrients in broilers.

Metabolizable energy is a key information whenformulating chicken feed. The present studyemployed chemical analysis data and invitro digestibility values to investigatethe apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of driedokara, a soybean byproduct, in broiler chickens. Atotal of 105 male Ross-308 broiler chickens werefed dehulled rice–soybean meal-based dietscontaining 0%, 10%, and 20% okara derived fromeither tofu or soymilk. The proximate composition,neutral detergent fiber content, acid detergentfiber (ADF) content, and in vitroenergy digestibility of okara were analyzed. Thein vitro digestibility of okarawas influenced by particle size, with 0.5-mmsamples showing higher digestibility than 1.0-mmsamples. Soymilk okara had a higher AME (3300kcal/kg DM) than tofu okara (2827 kcal/kg DM),which was attributed to its lower ADF but higherprotein content. To predict the AME of okara, wedeveloped a stepwise regression model thatcombined the variables: ADF as X1,ether extract as X2, and the invitro energy digestion rate from the0.5-mm sample as X3. AME could bepredicted with high accuracy using the followingformula: Y = −14.12 X1 + 20.98X2 + 32.42 X3 + 1100.1(R2 = 0.99, P < 0.01), with minimalroot mean square error.

This Research Paper addresses the hypothesis that the dietary inclusion of an Aspergillus niger fermentation product will alter the degradation kinetics and rumen fermentation patterns of feeds in dairy cattle. Fungal fermentation products often contain a suite of bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites, which can influence the microbial environment in the rumen and act as digestibility enhancers. As the cattle sector is under increasing pressure to enhance its sustainability, the investigation of dietary interventions that could improve the efficiency of production is warranted. In a previous experiment, Synergen®, a product of the solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus niger (ANP) containing residual enzyme activities, significantly increased the in vitro digestibility of a grass silage-based dairy total mixed ration (TMR), suggesting that in vivo studies would be valuable. Hence the present study aimed to quantify the effects of this ANP on rumen fermentation measures in cattle. Using a 4 × 4 Latin square design, the effect of four doses of ANP (0, 5, 10, 15 g/day) in four cannulated Jersey heifers was measured on the in sacco degradation of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre in steam-flaked barley, grass silage and a grass silage-based TMR formulated for dairy cattle. Treatments had no significant effect on the rate, or extent, of degradation of any component in any feed investigated. Rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations and proportions, and rumen pH, were quantified at seven timepoints during each 48-h sampling period and were unaffected by treatment, as was the apparent total tract digestibility of DM. Under the conditions of this trial, ANP did not influence rumen fermentation kinetics; indicating that supplementing mature, non-lactating Jersey cattle with this fungal fermentation product is not an advantageous strategy to enhance feed digestibility.