Ground Wheat Research Articles

How much of a near infrared spectrum is useful? Sparse regularization---let the data decide!

In information recovery from indirect measurements of the phenomenon of interest (e.g. near infrared spectra of milk powders or pharmaceuticals, or Raman spectra of explosives or anaesthetics) the available data can be partitioned into two separate components: (i) the information which encapsulates the answer to the question under examination (the proportion of casein, the major protein component, in milk powder; the presence or absence of explosives; the monitoring of anaesthetic and respiratory levels during surgery) and (ii) a considerable amount of superfluous information, the presence of which compromises the reliability of the answer to the question of interest. In such spectroscopic situations, for the identification of the information that encapsulates the answer, a variety of techniques are used such as partial least squares, neural networks and support vector machines. With respect to the available calibration data, the support vector machines procedure performs an implicit form of sparse regularization. In this article, the aim is to show how, using the Beer--Lambert law and derivative spectroscopy, the sparse regularization is performed in an explicit manner. This information can be subsequently utilized to construct, using statistical regression, an appropriate predictor. Here, the goal is to give a proof-of-concept for the application of derivative spectroscopy as an explicit sparse regularization protocol. For this, the calibration data consists of near infrared spectra of milk powder spiked with known amounts of casein, while the property of interest is the proportion of casein in the milk powder. References R. S. Anderssen, F. R. de Hoog, and I. J. Wesley. Information recovery from near infrared data. In W. McLean and A. J. Roberts, editors, Proceedings of the 15th Biennial Computational Techniques and Applications Conference, CTAC-2010, volume 52 of ANZIAM J., pages C333–C348, July 2011. http://journal.austms.org.au/ojs/index.php/ANZIAMJ/article/view/3909. R. S. Anderssen and M. Hegland. Derivative Spectroscopy – An enhanced role for numerical differentiation. J. Integral Equat. Appl., 22(3):355–367, 2010. doi:10.1216/JIE-2010-22-3-355. R. S. Anderssen, M. Hegland, and I. J. Wesley. Resolution enhancement for infrared spectroscopic data. In MODSIM2011, 19th International Congress of Modelling and Simulation, pages 371–377. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australian and New Zealand, 2011. http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim2011/A4/anderssen3.pdf. R. S. Anderssen, B. G. Osborne, and I. J. Wesley. The application of localisation to near infrared calibration and prediction through partial least squares regression. JNIRS, 11(1):39–48, 2003. doi:10.1255/jnirs.352. T. Naes, T. Isaksson, T. Fearn, and T. Davies. A User-Friendly Guide to Multivariate Calibration and Classification. NIR Publications, Chichester, UK, 2002. http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/151973/. B. G. Osborne. Near-infrared spectroscopy in food analysis. In Encyclopedia of Analytic Chemistry, pages 1–14. J. Wiley and Sons, Chichester, UK, 2006. doi:10.1002/9780470027318.a1018. B. G. Osborne, T. Fearn, and P. H. Hindle. Practical NIR Spectroscopy with Applications in Food and Beverage Analysis. Longman Scientific and Technical, Harlow, UK, 1993. McGraw-Hill Series in Higher Mathematics. I. J. Wesley, B. G. Osborne, R. S. Anderssen, S. R. Delwiche, and R. A. Graybosch. Chemometric localization approach to NIR measurement of apparent amylose content of ground wheat. Cereal Chem., 80(4):462–467, 2003. doi:10.1094/CCHEM.2003.80.4.462.

Effects of different physical forms of wheat grain in corn-based starter on performance of young Holstein dairy calves

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of partially replacing corn with 2 forms of wheat grain on daily intake of starter feed, average daily gain, feed efficiency, rumen pH, fecal score, weaning weight, skeletal growth, and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Thirty-two male and female Holstein dairy calves (n=8 calves per treatment) were used in a completely randomized block design. At d 3 of age, individually housed calves were randomly allocated to different treatments consisting of a starter diet with 60% ground corn (control), a starter diet with 60% whole corn, a starter diet with 30% ground corn plus 30% ground wheat (GCGW), and a starter with 30% ground corn plus 30% whole wheat (GCWW), with all other components in a meal form. All calves had free access to water and feed throughout the study period and received 4L of milk replacer/d from d 3 to 50 and 2 L/d from d 50 to 52; weaning occurred at the end of d 52. Feed intake was recorded daily and body weight and skeletal growth measures were recorded on d 10 and every 10 d thereafter. Rumen pH was measured on d 30, 45, and 60. Blood sample were collected on d 30 and every 10 d thereafter through d 70. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Over the experimental period (d 1–70), the starter intake for the GCWW group was significantly different from the control group, but not different from the other groups. Calves fed whole wheat had a significantly greater average daily gain compared with other groups over the experimental period (d 1–70). Feed efficiency was only better in calves fed the GCWW diet than the GCGW group for postweaning and overall periods. No differences were observed for preweaning in body length, hip height, or withers height among the treatments; however, differences were significant in heart girth and body barrel. Postweaning, some of the body measurements were greater in calves fed the GCWW and GCGW starter diets. Blood glucose concentration reduced with age; however, blood urea nitrogen, β-hydroxybutyrate, albumin, and total protein increased with age. Treatment × time effects on blood urea nitrogen and total protein concentrations were detected. Blood urea nitrogen concentration (mg/dL) was affected by dietary treatments on d 30, 40, and 70, but no significant difference was detected on d 50 and 60. Serum total protein concentration (g/dL) was also affected by dietary treatments on d 40 and 70, but no significant difference was detected on d 40, 50, and 60. Whereas rumen pH was significantly reduced for the control compared with the GCWW treatment on d 45, comparison of the fecal scores showed no detectable differences among the treatments. Overall, the results of the current study indicate that starter diets containing whole wheat and ground corn can improve performance in young dairy calves compared with diets containing ground corn/ground wheat, whole corn, or ground corn, under our experimental conditions.

Desempenho produtivo de ovinos em pastejo suplementados com concentrados contendo coprodutos da fruticultura

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of sheep kept in irrigated Tifton 85 pastures receiving concentrate supplementation containing different fruits processing by-products. The pasture area corresponded to 0.58 ha, divided in 24 paddocks, under rotational grazing with 20 days of interval of grazing and four days of grazing. 24 male sheep, castrated with 26.9±2.4 of initial body weight and ten months like testers animals, were used. Three fruit processing by-products (guava, barbados cherry and grape wine industry) including in 30% of dry matter basis in supplements, besides the treatment “control” containing traditional ingredients (dry ground corn, soybean meal and wheat bran), were compared. The experimental design was a completely randomized with six replicates by treatments. The concentrates evaluated containing fruit processing by-products did not affect the daily weight gain, the total weight gain and the final body weight of sheep kept in irrigated pastures. The stoking rate of pastures, an average was 90.96 lambs/ha and estimative of meat production by area of 2,756.50 kg/ha/year. Thus, guava, barbados cherry and grape wine industry by-products may substitute 30% of dry matter the traditional ingredients in concentrate without harming the productive performance of animals and area.

Effect of sweet yeast bread formula on evaluating rapid mix test

The aim of this work was to detect how different sweet yeast bread formulas influence results of rapid mix test and by the help of sensory analysis to discover consumer preferences and possible benefit and use in bakery industry. Applied raw materials (ground wheat flour T 530, yeast, sugar, salt, oil, egg, improver Hit) along with basic formula were taken from the Varmužova bakery in Boršice by Buchlovice. The basic formula served as a standard (I), other six formulas were then determined (II–VII). In each formula, the rate of yeast, sugar or oil was altered in the range of ± 10% compared with the standard. Flour bread-making quality – Hagberg Falling number [s], Sedimentation index [ml], wet gluten [%], ash [%], moisture [%], binding capacity [%], granulation [%], alveographic energy [10−4J] and alveographic rate P/L – was measured. Rapid mix test and parameters like pastry weight, volume, shape, dough yield, pastry yield, baking loss, penetration and sensory analysis were determined. To establish yeast fermentation activity, Engelke fermentation test was applied. The most evident differences among the samples appeared in the volume and shape. The results of sensory analysis showed that the samples with higher rate of altered raw materials were evaluated as the best.

Influence of method of wheat inclusion and pellet diameter on performance, nutrient utilisation, digestive tract measurements and carcass characteristics of broilers

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of method of wheat inclusion and pellet diameter on performance, nutrient utilisation, digestive tract development and carcass characteristics of broilers. The experimental design was a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, which included three diet forms, namely ground wheat (GW) and 200 g/kg whole wheat (WW) replacing GW before or after pelleting, and two pellet diameters (3.0 and 4.76 mm). Experimental diets were offered ad libitum from Day 11 to Day 35 post-hatch. Pellet durability index was higher (P < 0.05) in GW diets and deteriorated (P < 0.05) with pre-pelleting inclusion of WW when the larger die was used. Larger pellet diameter increased (P < 0.05) the weight gain and lowered (P < 0.05) feed per gain of birds fed diets with GW and post-pellet inclusion of WW. However, in birds fed diets with pre-pelleting inclusion of WW, the larger pellet diameter lowered (P < 0.05) feed intake and weight gain, and increased (P < 0.05) feed per gain. Relative gizzard weight was increased (P < 0.05) by larger pellet diameter with pre-pelleting inclusion of WW, but was unaffected (P > 0.05) in diets containing GW or post-pellet inclusion of WW. Irrespective of the method of WW inclusion, larger pellet diameter increased (P < 0.05) the apparent metabolisable energy and ileal starch digestibility. Larger pellet diameter was associated with reductions (P < 0.05) in the relative length and weight of all components of the digestive tract in GW-fed birds, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on these parameters in birds fed WW diets. Larger pellet diameter increased (P < 0.05) carcass yield in the GW group, reduced (P < 0.05) in the pre-pelleting WW group and had no effect in the post-pelleting WW group. Overall, these results showed that the effect of pellet diameter on broiler performance varied depending on the form of wheat and method of WW inclusion. Adverse effects on weight gain in the pre-pelleting WW group were due primarily to reduced feed intake resulting from poor pellet quality.

Thermomechanical and Thermo-mechano-chemical Pretreatment of Wheat Straw using a Twin-screw Extruder

Different thermo-mechanical extrusion pretreatments were evaluated as alternatives to traditional biomass pretreatments for lignocellulosic ethanol production. Wheat straw, a commonly available agricultural co-product, was chosen as the substrate model for the study. Five thermo-mechanical pretreatments were evaluated: one purely thermo-mechanical (TM) using just water, and the rest thermo-mechano-chemical (TMC), thus using acid, alkaline, oxidant in alkaline medium, and organic solvent. The parietal constituents, hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin were quantified to enable the amounts extracted by the pretreatment to be estimated. The digestibility of cellulose was evaluated by quantifying the hydrolysability with an enzyme cocktail. Water thermomechanical treatment gave strong straw defibration; however the digestibility only attained 35%, whereas ground wheat straw was already 22%. This improvement is insufficient to prepare material for direct enzymatic hydrolysis; thus a combination of the thermo-mechanical and chemical treatment is required. All chemical treatments produced greater improvements in cellulose digestibility. For the acidic treatments, hydrolysability was between 42 and 50%, and reached 89% with alkaline pretreatment.

Effect of compressive load and particle size on compression characteristics of selected varieties of wheat straw grinds

In this study, the effect of compressive load and particle size on compression characteristics of four varieties (Strongfield, Blackbird, DT773 and DT818) of wheat straw grown at two different fields was investigated. Particle size, bulk and particle densities of all wheat straw samples were determined after grinding. Ground wheat straw samples were densified in a cylindrical die at 90 °C using an Instron testing machine. The wheat straw samples with 9% moisture content were compressed at five levels of compressive pressures (31.6, 63.2, 94.7, 126.4 and 138.9 MPa) and two levels of particle sizes (1.6 and 3.2 mm). Dimensions and mass of all compressed samples were measured to calculate the pellet density. The specific energy required to compress and eject the pellets was calculated from force-displacement data. Applied compressive force and particle size significantly affected the pellet density of wheat straw samples. The pellet density was in the range of 699–1064 kg m−3 increasing with pressure and particle size. The total specific energy required for compression and ejection of pellets varied from 4.35 to 33.64 MJ t−1 that increased with compressive load and particle size. Higher compressive forces and particle size increased the durability of pellets to more than 95%. Blackbird variety was the most compressible of the four varieties of wheat straw.

Coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility of some feedstuffs for Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

This research aimed at evaluating the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) for conventional products (whole ground corn, wheat middlings, soybean oil, broken rice and whole ground sorghum) and alternative by-products (cassava root meal, mesquite pod meal and copra meal) by tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). A semi-purified reference diet containing 345gkg−1 CP and 13.44MJDEkgdiet−1 was used and test diets were produced by incorporation of test ingredients in a 7:3 ratio (700gkg−1 reference diet and 300gkg−1 test ingredient). Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible inert marker at 1gkg−1 and feces were collected following a modified Guelph procedure. CTTAD of DM ranged from 0.426 to 0.838 among the feedstuffs. CTTADs of GE showed trend similar to DM, ranging from 0.449 to 0.927. Soybean oil, cassava root meal and broken rice had the highest CTTAD of GE while whole ground sorghum and mesquite pod meal showed the lowest values. The CTTAD of crude protein of the feedstuffs evaluated ranged from 0.714 to 0.875. These results indicate that copra meal and cassava root meal have great potential to replace commonly used ingredients in diets for tambaqui and further research to determine their level of inclusion is needed. Additionally, further research is necessary to determine if the fiber digestibility is influenced by dietary fat content in tambaqui diets. The CTTAD of protein above 0.700 observed in this study indicated that tambaqui is able to efficiently digest protein in several types of ingredients.

Effect of Different Feed Structures and Bedding on the Horizontal Spread of Campylobacter jejuni within Broiler Flocks

In this study, we investigated the effects of different feed structures and beddings on the spread of C. jejuni in broiler flocks, and the effect on the cecal microbiota. Broiler chickens raised in 24 eight-bird group cages on either rubber mat or wood shavings were fed either a wheat-based control diet (Control), a diet where 50% of the ground wheat was replaced by whole wheat prior to pelleting (Wheat), or a wheat-based diet, such as the control diet diluted with 12% oat hulls (Oat). Samples from the cloacal mucosa of all birds were taken daily for C. jejuni quantification and cecum samples were collected at the end of the experiment for C. jejuni quantification and microbiota analyses. We have shown a statistically significant effect of increased feed structure on the reduced spread of C. jejuni in chicken flocks, but no significant differences were detected between types of structure included in the feed. No significant changes in the dominating microbiota in the lower lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract were observed, which indicates that feed structure only has an effect on the upper GI tract. Delaying the spread of C. jejuni in broiler flocks could, at time of slaughter, result in fewer C. jejuni-positive broilers.

Screening of deoxynivalenol contamination in durum wheat by MOS-based electronic nose and identification of the relevant pattern of volatile compounds

Fungal volatile metabolites can be used as an indicator of mycotoxins occurrence in cereals. A rapid, easy-to-perform and non-invasive method using an electronic nose based on metal oxide sensors was developed to distinguish the quality of durum wheat samples in three classes based on the content of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON): class A ([DON] < 1000 μg/kg), class B (1000 ≤ [DON] ≤ 2500 μg/kg;) and class C ([DON] > 2500 μg/kg). Two different approaches were tested by performing 525 analyses of naturally contaminated durum wheat either on whole and ground kernels. Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) provided calibration models that permitted to classify wheat samples with mean recognition percentages (R) for whole and ground kernels of 69.3% and 86.7%, respectively. Samples belonging to class A were better recognized than those belonging to classes B and C. The e-nose method applied to the analysis of ground wheat showed highest mean recognition percentage (R = 82.1%) in validation. By considering data with recognition percentage rate (Rr) higher than 80% in validation, performances of this method were further improved in terms of either mean recognition percentage (R = 90.1%) and percentage of misclassified samples (4%). An SPME-GC–MS method was also developed that allowed to characterize the pattern of volatile compounds of durum wheat samples. A positive (trichodiene, longifolene, 3-methyl butanal, tridecane, γ-caprolactone, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone) or negative (hexadecane, 2,3,7-trimethyl-decane, 4,6-dimethyl-dodecane) association with DON content was observed. These results confirm that the developed e-nose method could be used as useful tool for high throughput screening of DON contamination in durum wheat.

Effects on performance of ground wheat with or without insoluble fiber or whole wheat in sequential feeding for laying hens

Sequential feeding (SF) is an innovative system for laying hens consisting of nutrients separating energy, protein, and calcium supplies to fulfill nutrient requirements at the relevant time of day. In previous studies, hens received whole wheat in the morning and a balancer diet (rich in protein and calcium) in the afternoon. To improve SF utilization, the aim was to substitute whole wheat in the morning by an alternative energy supply: ground wheat and ground corn, with or without a proportion of whole wheat and insoluble fiber. The goal was to obtain the advantages observed in previous experiments with whole wheat [bigger gizzard, thinner hens, reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR)]. Four hundred thirty-two ISA Brown hens were housed in collective cages from 20 to 35 wk of age divided into 8 different treatments: a continuous control diet, a sequential diet with whole wheat in the morning, 3 wheat-based diets (ground wheat, ground wheat and 20% whole wheat, and ground wheat with 5% insoluble fiber) and 3 ground corn-based (ground corn, ground corn and 20% whole wheat, and ground corn with 5% insoluble fiber) provided in the morning. All sequential regimens received the same balancer diet rich in protein and calcium in the afternoon. Whole wheat SF gave the best results with an improved FCR compared with continuous control and all other SF diets. Wheat- and corn-based diets showed intermediate results between whole wheat SF and continuous feeding. Gizzard weight was higher and hens were lighter than with conventional continuous feeding, leading to an average FCR improvement of 3.2% compared with a continuous control. Thus, it is possible in SF diets to substitute, at least partially, whole wheat by ground wheat or ground corn with added insoluble fiber or some whole wheat, allowing more flexibility and economic optimization.

Gastrointestinal morphology and function in turkeys fed diets diluted with whole grain wheat

The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that moderate dilution of turkey diets with whole grain wheat (up to 22.5%) improves gastrointestinal function, thus contributing to sustained growth performance. A total of 900 male turkeys were allocated to 5 dietary treatments: basal diet (BD), BD diluted with low levels of ground and pelleted wheat or whole wheat, and BD diluted with high levels of ground and pelleted wheat or whole wheat (GH and WH, respectively). At successive stages of the experiment, diets containing 5 and 15%, 7.5 and 17.5%, 10 and 20%, 12.5 and 22.5% of wheat in different physical form were fed to turkeys aged 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16, and 17 to 18 wk, divided into subgroups with low and high dietary levels of wheat, respectively. Dietary dilution with different levels of wheat did not reduce the BW gain of turkeys and did not deteriorate feed conversion despite a decrease in the amino acid content of diets. In comparison with BD, diet GH increased the thickness of the muscularis externa and the depth of cecal crypts (P < 0.05), increased Bacteria domain, and decreased Salmonella counts (P < 0.001), increased butyric acid concentrations, and decreased the levels of putrefactive compounds in the cecal digesta (P < 0.001). In comparison with BD, diet WH improved feed efficiency (P = 0.002) and contributed to significant (P < 0.01) changes in the parameters of gastrointestinal function, including lower pH of gizzard digesta, increased depth of jejunal crypts, lower ammonia concentrations, and lower pH of intestinal digesta, increased Bacteria and Bifidobacterium counts, decreased Salmonella counts, and higher concentrations of butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids. In comparison with diet GH, diet WH enhanced the activity of bacterial α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase as well as α-galactosidase, reduced the activity of β-glucuronidase, and increased total fatty acid concentrations, mainly acetic acid levels, in the cecal digesta (P < 0.01). The observed changes indicate that diet supplementation with wheat grain enhances gastrointestinal function, thus improving feed conversion in turkeys.

Effect of fertilization patterns on the assemblage of weed communities in an upland winter wheat field

Aims Understanding the response of farmland weed community assembly to fertilization is important for designing better nutrient management strategies in integrated farmland ecological systems. Many studies have focused on weed characteristics, mainly crop-weed competition responses to fertilization or weed communities alone. However, weed community assembly in association with crop growth is poorly understood in the agroecosystems, but is important for the determination of integrated weed management. Biodiversity promotes ecosystem productivity in the grassland, but whether it applies to the agroecosystems is unclear. Based on an 11-year field experiment, the cumulative effects of different fertilization patterns on the floristic composition and species diversity of farmland weed communities along with wheat growth in a winter wheat-soybean rotation were investigated. Methods The field trial included five fertilization patterns with different combinations of N, P and K fertilizers. Species composition and diversity of weed communities, aboveground plant biomass and nutrient accumulation of weeds and winter wheat, light penetration to the ground surface and wheat yield were measured at each plot in 2009 and 2010. Multivariate analysis, regression and analysis of variance were used to analyze the responses of these parameters to the different fertilization treatments. Important Findings Four dominant weeds (Galium aparine L., Veronica persica Poir., Vicia sativa L. and Geranium carolinianum L.) accounted for similar to 90% of the total weed density in the 2 years of experimental duration. The residual weed community assembly was influenced primarily by topsoil available nutrients in the order P > N > K. Competition for nutrients and solar radiation between crops and weeds was the main indirect effect of fertilization on the changes in weed community composition and species diversity. The indices of species diversity (species richness, Shannon-Wiener, Pielou and Simpson indices) showed significant linear relationships with wheat yield. The balanced fertilization treatment was more efficient at inhibiting the potential growth of weeds because of solar radiation being intercepted by wheat. These results support the conclusion that wheat yield is favored by balanced fertilization, whereas the weed community is favored by PK fertilization in terms of density and diversity. However, the negative effects on wheat yield may be compromised by simultaneous positive effects of weed communities in the fertilization treatments, for instance, the NP and NK treatments, which are intermediate in terms of increasing wheat production and to a level maintaining a diverse community.

Archaeobotanical studies at the Urartian site of Ayanis in Van Province, eastern Turkey

Archaeobotanical macro remains recovered from the Ayanis fortress and the outer town of the Urartian period of the Iron Age (685-645 BC), located in the area of Van (Turkey), were investigated. Most of the remains were charred due to fire. Large quantities of Hordeum vulgare L. (hulled barley), Panicum miliaceum L. (broomcorn millet), and Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauvois (foxtail millet) were found at the study site, indicating the storage of agricultural surplus. Other types of cereal remains were also recorded, including Triticum aestivum L. (bread wheat) and Secale cereale L. (rye). Ground wheat grains were also recovered and their starch microstructure under scanning electron microscope suggests that these remains represent a bulgur-like food preparation. The data suggest that in the area of Ayanis plant-based agricultural activities were based mainly on cereals in the Iron Age. The findings also include fruits of Carum carvi L. (caraway, Persian cumin), Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss (parsley). In view of the folkloric use of these plants, it is thought that the material from Ayanis represents condiments and/or medicinal herbs used by the Urartians in Anatolia about 2600 years ago.

The Effect of Thyme Extract on Growth Performance, Digestive Organ Weights and Serum Lipoproteins of Broilers Fed Wheat-Based Diets

The effect of the thyme extract and wheat form of the diet on performance, digestive organ weights and serum lipoproteins was studied in 320 male day old (ROSS 308) chicks. From 1 to 42 d of age, 8 diets arranged factorial with 4 thyme extract level (0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) and 2 wheat forms (ground vs whole) was used. Each treatment was replicated 4 times (10 birds per replicate). Thyme extract had no significant effect on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio irrespective of wheat form used over whole trial period (1-42 d). From 1 to 21 d of age, broilers fed the whole wheat diet grew faster than the broilers fed ground wheat based diet (609.06 vs 573.34 g). Relative abdominal fat and gizzard weight was significantly higher (P<0.05) in birds fed the whole wheat diets. Two-way interaction between thyme extract and wheat form were observed for total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the experiment. The results showed that the extract had no effect on performance of broilers irrespective of wheat form used. Relative gizzard weight was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed the whole wheat diets, but an increase in abdominal fat should be taken into account for carcass quality and processing. The predominant effect of thyme extract on lowering lipid levels in broilers fed on wheat based diets was on triglyceride rather than on cholesterol concentrations.

자색고구마-쌀누룩으로 제조된 막걸리 발효 중 품질 특성과 항산화 효과

막걸리는 한국 전통주로 쌀로부터 알코올 함량 6-8%로 발효시킨 술이다. 누룩은 분쇄된 밀 혹은 쌀에 물을 가하고 성형하여 자연의 미생물로 번식시킨 발효제이다. 본 연구에서는 기능성이 밝혀져 있는 자색고구마를 첨가하여 쌀누룩을 제조하고 이 누룩을 이용하여 막걸리를 제조하였다. 자색고구마-쌀누룩(PSP-RN)은 PSP를 0-10%로 쌀에 첨가하여 제조하였고 막걸리 발효 과정 중 품질 특성과 항산화 효과를 확인하였다. 막걸리 발효 중 pH는 발효 초기 각각 4.27(0% PSP-RN), 4.59(2.5%), 4.50(5.0%), 4.46(7.5%) 및 4.43(10.0%)에서 발효 종기 4.12, 3.82, 3.67, 3.71 및 3.66로 감소하였다. 당도는 발효 초기 <TEX>$0.4^{\circ}Bx$</TEX>에서 <TEX>$8.0-8.4^{\circ}Bx$</TEX>로 증가하였고 알코올 함량은 발효 종기 13.0%(0% PSP-RN), 13.2% (2.5%) 및 12.8%(5.0-10.0%)로 증가하였다. 한편, 수용성 anthocyanin과 phenolics 함량은 발효 초기 각각 0.001-0.121 g/L와 0.2-0.27 g/L에서 발효 종기 0.002-0.166 g/L와 1.65-1.87 g/L로 증가하였고 이에 상응하여 항산화 활성은 20-50% 증가하였다. Makgeolli is the oldest Korean traditional wine made from rice, and contains 6-8% alcohol. Also, nuruk is traditionally prepared by exposing moistened ground wheat or rice to the air, and there contained airborne microorganism. In this study, purple sweet potato (PSP) was used as a raw material in the rice nuruk- and makgeolli-making processes. PSP rice nuruk (RN) was made with rice and 0-10% (w/w) PSP, and the characteristics of makgeolli were studied during fermentation. The pH during fermentation decreased from 4.27 (0% PSP-RN), 4.59 (2.5%), 4.50 (5.0%), 4.46 (7.5%), and 4.43 (10.0%) of initial fermentation day to 4.12, 3.82, 3.67, 3.71, and 3.66, respectively, at day 7. The sugar contents increased from <TEX>$0.4^{\circ}Bx$</TEX> of the initial day to <TEX>$8.0-8.4^{\circ}Bx$</TEX>, and the levels of alcohol increased to 13.0% (0% PSP-RN), 13.2% (2.5%), 12.8% (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0%) by day 7, respectively. In addition, the contents of soluble anthocyanins and phenolics increased from 0.001-0.121 and 0.2-0.27 g/L on the initial fermentation day to 0.002-0.166 and 1.65-1.87 g/L, corresponding to increases in levels of antioxidant activities of 20-50%, respectively.

Use of Ground Wheat Straw in Container Nursery Substrates to Overwinter Daylily Divisions2

Wheat (Triticum sp.) straw is being evaluated as a potential component in soilless container mixes either alone or combined with compost to replace a significant portion of the substrate currently supplied by pine bark and peat moss. The objective of this study was to evaluate wheat straw and horse manure compost, locally available resources, as components of container media for establishing and overwintering daylily (Hemerocallis fulva ‘Stella D'Oro’). A standard commercial, sphagnum peat-based substrate was amended with either wheat straw, horse manure compost, or a combination of the two. Stella D'Oro daylily divisions were grown in each substrate mix and overwintered in an unheated structure for eight months. Physical properties of the mixes were determined to be within production standards and media shrinkage was minimal. Daylilies in all substrate combinations were of comparable vigor to the non-amended substrate when growth resumed in the spring.

EFFECT OF SOME NUTRITIONAL ADDITIVES ON YOGHURT PROPERTIES

The objective of this work was to study the effect of different dietary fibers on the rheologyical , physicochemical and sensory properties of yoghurts fortified with these fibers . Ground wheat germs , flour oat's ,fibers of top of sugar can and ground barely addition were used and added at 0.5, 1.0,1.5 and 2.0% (w/w) to yoghurt milk. Yoghurt samples prepared with nutritional additives or traditional were compared. Results show the changes in the chemical and sensory properties of Yoghurt from different treatments were followed during storage at refrigerator (4-5°C) for 15 days. As the percentage of food additives increased the coagulation time decrease. Total solid ,ash on dry matter, soluble nitrogen ,non protein nitrogen on total nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid increased in all treatments but fat on dry matter values decrease compare with control cow's yoghurt. Titratable acidity values of various yoghurt treatments gradually increased during storage period 15 days. pH value was of opposite behavior of titratable acidity for all treatments of yoghurt made from buffaloe's and cow's milk .It could be observed from the organoleptic scoring that both oat and barley treatments were the best additives for improving the body characteristics of cow's yoghurt to be compare with that made from buffalo's milk one.

Evaluation of diagnostic measures for subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows

Li, S., Gozho, G. N., Gakhar, N., Khafipour, E., Krause, D. O. and Plaizier, J. C. 2012. Evaluation of diagnostic measures for subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows. Can J. Anim. Sci. 92: 353–364. Effects of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) challenges on measurements of feces, urine, milk and blood samples, and of feeding behavior were investigated to determine which of these measurements may aid in the diagnosis of SARA. Eight multiparous lactating dairy cows were used in a crossover design with two 6-wk experimental periods. During weeks 1, 2, and 6, cows received a control diet with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 58:42. During weeks 3 to wk 5, a grain-based SARA challenge (GBSC) or an alfalfa-pellet SARA challenge (APSC) was conducted by replacing 12% of the dry matter of the control ration with pellets containing 50% ground wheat and 50% ground barley, and by replacing 26% of the dry matter of the control ration with pellets of ground alfalfa, respectively. The rumen pH depression did not differ between the challenges. The GBSC increased the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in feces and of serum amyloid A in blood, but decreased that of milk fat and urea in blood. The APSC increased the urine pH, the net-acid-base excretion, and the red blood cell count and potassium concentration in blood. Both challenges increased the concentrations of LPS and propionate in rumen fluid, protein in milk, glucose, lactate and sodium and the partial pressure of CO2in blood, and tended to decrease the concentration of chloride in blood. The measures that were similarly affected by both challenges may aid in the diagnosis of a rumen pH depression. Differences between the SARA challenges suggest that this disorder is not solely rumen pH dependent.

Effect of wheat processing on rumen characteristics and rumen parameters in Holstein‐Friesian calves

In this experiment, effect of wheat processing on rumen conditions and development were investigated. Fifty-six neonatal Holstein-Friesian calves (22 male and 34 female) were fed calf starters and post-weaning diets containing 35 (pre-weaning) and 21.90% (post-weaning) popped wheat (PW), steam-flaked wheat (SFW), dry-rolled wheat (DRW) or ground wheat (GW) till 12 weeks of age. Calves were weaned at the end of 9th week, and a post-weaning-specific starter diets were fed for 1 month. Rumen liquor was analysed in days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment to determine volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Twelve male calves (three calves/treatment) were slaughtered, and digestive tract was emptied. Forestomach empty weight and rumen parameters were assessed. Results indicated that calves received PW had the highest total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, ammonia nitrogen, rumen wall thickness, papilla width and density. Calves fed DRW experienced the lowest rumen pH throughout the experiment probably because high proportion of fine particles in GW. Calves consuming PW apparently had more functional rumen in comparison with other groups.