High Non-starch Polysaccharides Research Articles

The effect of type of carbohydrate (starch vs. nonstarch polysaccharides) on nutrients digestibility, energy retention and maintenance requirements in Nile tilapia

For Nile tilapia, the energetic value of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was compared to starch. It was assessed if carbohydrate type (NSP vs. starch) affected the energetic utilization for growth (KgDE) and the energy requirements for maintenance (DEm). Eighteen groups of fish were assigned in 2×3 factorial design: two diets, with either a high NSP or high starch content; and three feeding levels (low, medium or satiation). The NSP diet contained 70% of the starch diet supplemented with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles. Nutrients digestibility, nitrogen and energy balances were measured. All nutrients digestibility decreased with increasing feeding level (P<0.001). Diet type (NSP vs. starch) affected the digestibility of all nutrients except for dry matter and fat. NSP of both diets were digested and the NSP digestibility ranged between 23% and 73%. Averaged over feeding levels, 5% and 17% of the total digestible energy originated from NSP at the starch and NSP diet, respectively. Although the digestible energy intake was similar, the contrast in type of carbohydrates between the diets resulted in lower energy retention with the NSP rich diet (P<0.05). Despite this impact on energy retention, both DEm and kgDE were not significantly influence by diet. However, DEm was numerically higher (96 vs. 110kJkg−0.8BWd−1) and kgDE was numerically lower (65% vs. 58%) at the NSP diet compared to the starch diet. In conclusion, NSP are digested by Nile tilapia. Digested NSP are less well utilized for growth, which is reflected by a lower energy retention in fish and is due to the slightly higher DEm in combination with a slightly lower kgDE. Statement of relevanceScarcity of fishmeal and -oil combined with the fast growing aquaculture sector, result in diversification of feed ingredients in fish-feeds. Plant ingredients as protein source become more important, which also increases the dietary carbohydrate content including non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). This paper provides information on the nutritional value of NSP in tilapia. This will eventually lead to improved fish-feed formulations.

Effects of in Ovo Injection and Inclusion a Blend of Essential Oils and Organic Acids in High NSPs Diets of Broiler Breeders on Performance of Them and Their Offspring.

Two factorial completely randomized design trials 2×2 and 2×2×2 were conducted to evaluate the effect of a blend of essential oils and organic acids (Biacid™) in broiler breeder diets at two levels, two dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) levels and in ovo injection of Biacid™ on their progenies performance, respectively. 240 broiler breeders of Ross 308 strain were fed from the age of week 44th for 12 weeks in four groups. 120 produced eggs from each group were divided in two groups of 60 eggs for injecting by 0.5 ml of Biacid™ or distilled water. Injection was done during transferring from setter to hatcher in day 18th of incubation. Twenty-five cockerels from each of 8 treatments were housed into separate pens. Using Biacid™ and high NSPs in broiler breeders' ration affected hatchability, embryo mortality, weight of day old chicks and progenies' carcass yield significantly (p<0.05) whereas in ovo injection of Biacid™ did not show significant effects in this regards (p≥0.05). Offspring's abdominal fat was neither affected by broiler breeders' rations nor in ovo injection of Biacid™ (p≥0.05). Biacid™ and high NSPs content in broiler breeders' ration affected all primary and secondary humoral immune responses of progenies against sheep red blood cells (p<0.05). In ovo injection of Biacid™ increased the primary IgG, primary IgT and secondary IgG responses (p<0.05). The interaction of the effects of Biacid™ and high NSPs in broiler breeders' ration and also in ovo injection of Biacid™ affected progenies' weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and European production index significantly (p<0.05). It seems that using Biacid™ in broiler breeders' diet can modify the undesirable effects of high NSPs content of breeders' ration on performance of their offspring.

Relationship between wheat characteristics and nutrient digestibility in broilers: comparison between total collection and marker (titanium dioxide) technique

Three wheat cultivars (Orpheus, Rustic, and Viscount) were used to formulate 3 test feeds (62.4% wheat) in a broiler digestibility trial. The diets were fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens. The wheat cultivars mainly differed in their amount of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). The cultivar Orpheus was chosen to represent a high amount of NSP (102 g/kg DM), whereas the cultivars Rustic and Viscount represented low amounts of NSP (83.4 g/kg DM and 73.9 g/kg DM, respectively). Furthermore, the cultivars Orpheus and Viscount were feed quality wheat, whereas Rustic was a milling quality wheat. Nutrient digestibilities and AMEn contents of the diets were measured from 18 to 22-days-old by total excreta collection, or with the use of the indigestible marker titanium dioxide. In addition, the ileal viscosity was measured when the broilers were 25-days-old. Wheat cultivar affected N retention, DM digestibility, and AMEn. In general, the feed formulated with the high NSP wheat cultivar Orpheus resulted in the least favorable nutrient digestibilities and AMEn, whereas the results were better when the feed was formulated with the low NSP cultivars Viscount and Rustic. Feeding the Rustic cultivar caused the highest intestinal viscosity, although this was not reflected in the animal responses. Nutrient digestibilities and AMEn content of the diets were lower when calculated with the titanium dioxide marker than with the total excreta collection procedure. Moreover, the P-values of the effect of wheat cultivar on DM digestibility, N retention, crude fat digestibility and AMEn were lower with the use of the titanium dioxide marker. It can be concluded that wheat cultivar affected nutrient digestibility and AMEn, and that the observed differences were related to the amount of NSP. Furthermore, both the titanium dioxide marker and the total excreta collection methods showed the same trends despite the different values obtained. The titanium dioxide marker method was the simplest to use and produced valid results.

The effect of protease and xylanase enzymes on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and manure odour in grower–finisher pigs

Rapeseed meal (RSM) and wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) are byproducts which may be incorporated into pig diets. However, in comparison with wheat and soyabean meal, higher non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content in RSM and DDGS may impose dietary limitations. Two 2×2 factorial experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction between xylanase (0 vs. 200mg/kg) and protease (0 vs. 200mg/kg) enzyme supplementation on (1) growth performance and carcass characteristics, and (2) apparent ileal (AID) and total tract nutrient digestibility (ATTD), manure gaseous emissions in grower–finisher pigs. In experiment 1, to assess growth performance, 128 pigs (body weight (BW), 34.2±2.1kg; n=32) were allocated to one of four treatments based on a basal diet containing DDGS (300g/kg) and RSM (210g/kg): (1) basal diet; (2) basal diet plus 200mg/kg protease enzyme; (3) basal diet plus 200mg/kg xylanase enzyme; (4) basal diet plus 200mg/kg protease and 200mg/kg xylanase enzymes. In experiment 1, pigs offered diets supplemented with protease had a lower ADG (P<0.001) during the combined grower and finisher period (d 0-slaughter) compared with pigs offered diets without protease. There was an interaction between growing phase, protease and xylanase supplementation on ADFI (P<0.01) and BW (P<0.01). During the finishing phase (d 28-slaughter), pigs offered diets containing both xylanase and protease had a reduced ADFI and a reduced BW compared with pigs offered the protease or xylanase only diets. However, this interaction was not evident during the growing period (d 0–28). In experiment 2, 24 entire male pigs (BW 78±2.3kg; n=6), were housed in metabolism crates and offered identical diets to those in experiment 1. There was an interaction between xylanase and protease (P<0.05) on the AID of GE. Diets containing protease only had increased AID of GE compared with basal fed pigs; however the AID of GE decreased when protease was combined with xylanase. Diets containing xylanase reduced manure odour emissions compared with diets without xylanase (598 vs. 1306OuE/m3; P<0.05). In conclusion, protease increased the AID of GE and xylanase reduced manure odour emissions, however neither enzymes improved growth performance of grower finisher pigs offered diets based on RSM and DDGS.

Dietary carbohydrate composition can change waste production and biofilter load in recirculating aquaculture systems

This study investigated the effect of dietary carbohydrate composition on the production, recovery and degradability of fecal waste from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Dietary carbohydrate composition was altered by substituting starch with non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) while keeping the diets isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. We tested a high starch, low NSP (LNSP) and a low starch, high NSP (HNSP) diet in six identical, small-scale RAS (V = 460 L). Each diet was tested in three independent systems over a period of six weeks. Shifting dietary carbohydrates from starch to NSPs resulted in a 50% increase in the production of chemical oxygen demand (COD) based on digestibility. Fecal waste recovery showed a 40% increase in HNSP treatments when compared with LNSP. Consequently, the COD output from HNSP systems doubled from 91 g to 194 g of COD per kg feed when compared with LNSP. Although COD production was higher in HNSP systems, the COD load on the biofilters was significantly lower when compared with LNSP systems. COD-to-nitrogen (COD/N) ratios in the biofilter load were 1.7 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.2 g COD/g N for HNSP and LNSP, respectively. Shifting the dietary carbohydrate composition from starch to NSPs decreased the biodegradability of fecal COD from 66.3% to 43.7% (P < 0.001). Fiber analyses revealed that approximately 40% of the COD in HNSP feces came from cellulose and hemicellulose. The increased COD production of HNSP diets could be exploited by using fecal COD as an internal carbon source in denitrification. Full denitrification would be theoretically possible with a measured COD/N ratio of 7.2 in the waste stream of HNSP systems. However, it is not clear if the low COD bioavailability of HNSP feces could be a limiting factor. This study shows that COD/N ratios in the biofilter load and system output can be manipulated by changing dietary carbohydrate composition. Although an increased dietary NSP content increased COD production, it also increased COD recovery, decreased COD load on the biofilters and generated sufficient carbon for denitrification on internal sources.

Effects of wheat inclusion and xylanase supplementation of the diet on productive performance, nutrient retention, and endogenous intestinal enzyme activity of laying hens

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of a wheat cultivar (high in nonstarch polysaccharides) and xylanase supplementation of the diet on productive performance, pH of the gastrointestinal tract, nutrient retention, and intestinal enzyme activity of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens from 25 to 47 wk of age. The experiment was completely randomized with 8 treatments arranged factorially with 4 levels of wheat (0, 23, 46, and 69%) that corresponded to a dietary arabinoxylan content of 3.0, 3.3, 3.6, and 3.9%, with or without xylanase supplementation. Each treatment was replicated 5 times. For the entire experimental period, egg weight (P < 0.05) and egg mass (P < 0.01) were reduced and the feed conversion ratio was hindered (P < 0.05) with increased levels of wheat in the diet, but ADFI and egg production were not affected. Xylanase supplementation improved egg production (P < 0.05), egg mass (P < 0.01), and the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Diet did not affect egg quality at any age, except for shell thickness at 47 wk that was improved with xylanase supplementation (P < 0.05). Digesta pH of the different organs of the gastrointestinal tract was not affected by wheat inclusion or xylanase supplementation. Ileal viscosity increased (P < 0.001) with wheat inclusion and decreased (P < 0.001) with xylanase supplementation at all ages. Fat digestibility (P < 0.001) decreased with increased levels of wheat but AMEn content of the diets (P < 0.05) and nitrogen retention were not affected. Wheat inclusion increased (P < 0.001) amylase (33 wk), lipase (33 wk), and aminopeptidase (47 wk) activity in the duodenum as well as lipase activity in the jejunum at 47 wk of age. However, xylanase supplementation did not affect the activity of any of the enzymes studied. It is concluded that most of the negative effects of wheat inclusion in the diet were reduced or even disappeared with xylanase supplementation. Wheat with a high nonstarch polysaccharide content (Pishtaz cultivar) can be used at levels of up to 69% in laying-hen diets without negatively affecting bird performance, provided that feeds are supplemented with xylanase.

Barley and oat cultivars with diverse carbohydrate composition alter ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility and fermentation metabolites in weaned piglets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of cereal carbohydrate form (isolated v. cereal matrix) and level, especially mixed-linked β-glucan (hereafter referred to as β-glucan) and starch amylase/amylopectin ratio on nutrient digestibility and fermentation parameters in the intestines of weaned pigs. Four hulless barley cultivars containing varying β-glucan levels (41 to 84 g/kg) were compared with hulled barley, supplemented or not with a β-glucan concentrate (BBG; 270 g/kg β-glucan) and two oat cultivars for digestibility and fermentation metabolites. Seventy-two weaned piglets (BW = 12.8 ± 1.9 kg) were assigned to one of nine diets composed of 815 g/kg cereal, 60 g/kg whey, 90 g/kg soy protein isolate and 35 g/kg minerals. After 15 days, the pigs were killed, and digesta collected from ileum and colon were analyzed for proximate nutrients, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lactic acid (LA) and ammonia. Ileal and total tract digestibility of proximate nutrients and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) were determined using HCl-insoluble ash as a marker. Organic matter (OM) ileal digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for diets based on hulless barley (77% ± 1.1% on average), as compared with hulled barley (64% ± 1.4%) and oat (58% ± 1.5%). Similar trends were found for total tract OM digestibility, varying from 90% ± 0.3% for hulless barley to 67% ± 0.4% for oat, on average. NSP digestibility differed (P < 0.05) within and between cereal types, ranging from 20% (hulled barley plus 163 g/kg BBG or ∼40 g/kg β-glucan) to 51% (SB94893 hulless barley cultivar with high β-glucan and high amylose ratio) at the ileum and from 44% (hulled barley) to 84% (SB94893 cultivar) at the total tract level. No dietary effect (P > 0.05) was found for SCFA concentration in ileal contents, whereas in colonic contents, SCFA was lower in pigs fed oat (P < 0.001). LA concentration was greater (P < 0.001) in the colon of pigs fed hulless barley than in pigs fed hulled barley and oat. Expressed per kg carbohydrate (NSP + starch) fermented, the ammonia concentration at the colon was lowest for hulled barley diets (supplemented with β-glucan) and the highest for oat diets. In conclusion, the interaction of both form and level of β-glucan impacted nutrient digestibility and fermentation. Hulless barleys with high soluble NSP such as β-glucan and resistant starch yielded, in general higher SCFA and LA and lower ammonia. Hulless barleys may, therefore, have potential for use in feeding strategies designed to improve gut health in pigs.

豚における低蛋白質飼料への高繊維質飼料原料の添加によるアンモニア発生量の低減

豚に給与する飼料成分を調整して糞尿から発生するアンモニアを低減することができる．今までに，アミノ酸バランスを調整した低蛋白質飼料や高繊維質飼料原料を配合した飼料を豚に給与すると，尿中への窒素排せつ量が低減することが分かってきた．今回，低蛋白質飼料へ高繊維質飼料を添加して給与することで，養豚業からのアンモニア発生量の減少を最大限にする技術を紹介する．

Low Dietary Energy Concentration, High Nonstarch Polysaccharide Concentration, and Coarse Particle Sizes of Nonstarch Polysaccharides Affect the Behavior of Feather-Pecking-Prone Laying Hens

An experiment was conducted with 504 non-cage-housed ISA Brown laying hens from 18 to 40 wk of age to investigate the separate effects of dietary energy concentration, nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) concentration, and particle sizes of added NSP source on the eating behavior, feather-pecking behavior, and hen performance of laying hens. Hens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments according to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 7 replicates per treatment. The factors were control and low energy concentration (2,825 vs. 2,540 kcal/kg), control and high NSP concentration (133 vs. 195 g/kg), and fine vs. coarse particle size of the added NSP source in the high-NSP diets. We hypothesized that eating time would be increased by feeding low-energy diets or coarsely ground, high-NSP diets, or both, resulting in reduced feather-pecking behavior, without negatively affecting hen performance. Energy reduction, NSP addition, and coarse grinding of NSP increased eating time by 14.2% (P= 0.001), 17.2% (P< 0.001), and 7.9% (P= 0.075), respectively, compared with the control level of these factors. Addition of NSP decreased eating rate (g/min) by 21.0% (P= 0.010). Layers already performed gentle feather-pecking behavior during the fifth week of the rearing period. Dietary treatments did not affect the maximal level of feather condition scores, but arise of feather damage was delayed by 10 wk in hens fed low-energy, coarsely ground, NSP-rich diets compared with hens fed control diets. Hens fed the control NSP diets showed reduced culling rates, because of less cannibalistic pecking, when energy concentration was decreased (44.1 vs. 13.1%), whereas in the high-NSP diets, culling rate decreased slightly when hens were fed the low-energy diets (31.6 vs. 28.6%; P= 0.071). Hens that were fed the low-energy diets compensated for the 10% reduction in energy concentration by a 9.3% higher maximal feed intake (143.0 vs. 130.8 g/d). Hen performance and BW gain of the hens were not affected by dietary treatments. We concluded that hens that were fed low-energy or high (coarsely ground)-NSP diets spend more time on feed intake, compared with hens that were fed the control diets. As a result, hens in some treatments showed less feather-pecking behavior.

An Animal Model to Study Digesta Passage in Different Compartments of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT) as Affected by Dietary Composition

An animal model was developed which allows the testing of the effect of dietary factors on digesta passage in the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine and the total gastrointestinal tract in growing pigs (46 - 119 kg BW). Rates of digesta passage were determined using a simultaneous pulse dose of titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixed in the diet and suspensions of chromiumIIIoxide (Cr2O3) and barium sulphate (BaSO4) in saline, introduced via cannulae to the proximal jejunum and to the terminal ileum, respectively. Faecal recovery of each of the markers was quantified using an one-compartment model from which the transit times (TT) of the markers were derived. The TT of TiO2 represented the passage of digesta over whole gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) whereas the TT of Cr2O3 and BaSO4 represented the TT over the small plus large intestines and over the large intestines, respectively. The TT over the stomach and small intestine were estimated from the TT determined over the whole GIT and over the two sections of the GIT. Besides a control diet (C diet), three diets were offered differing in the contents of non starch polysaccharides (NSP) and water-holding capacity (WHC). A combination of palm kernel expeller and toasted soy bean hulls were included in the diet as NSP sources (NSP diet) and hydrolysed maize starch was included to elevate WHC (WHC diet). The fourth diet had both a high NSP content and a high WHC content (NSP plus WHC diet). The mean transit time (MTT) of the marker passing the whole GIT was on average 75 h and NSP significantly decreased TT over the total GIT and through the large intestines (P < 0.05). In contrast, NSP tended to increase the TT of the stomach contents (P < 0.10). The effects of WHC were smaller and limited to tendencies for a decrease of the TT in the large intestines (P < 0.10) and an increase of the TT in the small intestine (P < 0.10). It is concluded that NSP and to a lesser extent WHC, have opposite effects on digesta passage in the proximal and distal GIT, respectively. The animal model developed in the present study seems a valuable method to test the effect of dietary factors on the passage of digesta. Keywords: Digesta, passage, gastro-intestinal tract, dietary composition, microbial activity, fermentation

The effect of level and type of cereal non-starch polysaccharides on the performance, nutrient utilization and gut environment of pigs around weaning

The influence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) level and solubility on performance, digestion site and gut environment was investigated in 20 Swedish Yorkshire litters between 3 and 9 weeks of age. The litters were distributed among five diets based on cereals and cereal by-products. The control diet (C) had a medium content of NSP (147 g/kg dry matter (DM)), whereas diets H and Hi had a high content of NSP (188–250 g/kg DM), and diets L and Li had a low content of NSP (95–109 g/kg DM) after dilution with starch. The proportion of insoluble (i) NSP was higher in diet Hi and Li (0.80–0.85) than in diets C, H and L (0.68–0.73). The pigs offered diet Li showed the highest (P<0.05) feed intake and grew faster (P<0.05) than pigs offered diets C, L and H. In the post-weaning period feed:gain was highest for pigs offered the C and H diets and lower for pigs offered the low NSP diets and diet Hi. During week 6, the coefficient of caecal (CCAD) and total tract (CTTAD) apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM) was lower (P<0.05) in diet Hi compared to the other diets, and the CCAD and CTTAD of crude protein (CP) was higher (P<0.05) in diet L compared to the high NSP diets. During week 7, the CCAD and CTTAD of OM was lower (P<0.05) in diet Hi compared to the low NSP diets and diet C. The CCAD of CP and starch was higher (P<0.05) in diet L compared to the control diet. Diet L showed higher (P<0.05) values of digestible energy compared to the high NSP diets, both in the 6 and 7 weeks old piglets. NSP solubility influenced (P<0.05) the caecal digestibility of arabonixylans and total NSP in the 6 and 7 weeks old piglets, as well as the caecal digestibility of total dietary fibre in the 7 weeks old piglets. The content of total organic acids (OA) was linearly related to the pH level at the ileum ( R 2 = 0.70), caecum ( R 2 = 0.57) and colon ( R 2 = 0.83). The experimental diets altered the molar proportions of lactic acid and short chain fatty acids (SCFA), of total OA, as well as the molar proportions of acetic, propionic and butyric acids, of total SCFA, in the stomach, ileum, caecum and colon of the piglets. In conclusion, NSP solubility influenced the digestibility of cell wall polysaccharides at the caecum but not at the total tract. Diet Hi promoted production of lactic acid in the stomach and small intestine and butyric acid in the large intestine.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in intact and ileorectal anastomosed pigs

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cholesterol-enriched casein (CAS) and blue lupin seed (BL) diets on the cholesterol metabolism of intact (INT) and ileorectal anastomosed (IRA) pigs. For 3 weeks, four groups of six pigs were allocated to the treatments (CAS-INT, CAS-IRA, BL-INT, and BL-IRA). Diet-induced hypercholesterolemia was inhibited by the BL through a substantial decrease in plasma LDL-cholesterol. The BL also reduced liver esterified and total cholesterol, increased hepatic LDL receptor synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity, and stimulated intestinal bile acid reabsorption. The neutral sterol output was higher in BL- than in CAS-fed pigs. The bile acid output was lower in IRA than in INT pigs. Surgery also prevented steroid microbial transformation, but it did not influence plasma cholesterol levels. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of the BL, compared with the CAS, is attributable to impaired intestinal cholesterol absorption, probably involving increased bile acid reabsorption and higher contents of dietary phytosterols, both factors that reduce the micellar solubilization of cholesterol. Furthermore, according to our data, the contribution of the large intestine to cholesterol metabolism is very weak.

Effects of additional starch or fat in late-gestating high nonstarch polysaccharide diets on litter performance and glucose tolerance in sows1,2

The effects of feeding additional starch or fat from d 85 of gestation until parturition on litter performance and on glucose tolerance in sows that were fed a diet with a high level of fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) were studied. The day after breeding, 141 multiparous sows were assigned to the experiment. At d 85 of gestation, sows were assigned to the treatments. Sows were fed 3.4 kg/d (as-fed basis) of a high-NSP diet or the same quantity of the high-NSP diet and an additional 360 g of starch (from wheat starch) daily, or the same quantity of the high-NSP diet and an additional 164 g of fat (from soybean oil) daily. During lactation, all sows were given free access to the same lactation diet. Approximately 1 wk before the expected time of parturition, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 38 randomly chosen sows by feeding pelleted glucose (3 g/kg BW0.75). Blood samples for glucose analyses were taken at -10, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 105, and 120 min after glucose was fed. The supply of additional dietary starch or fat did not increase piglet birth weight or total litter weight at birth. Sows that were fed the high-NSP diet had more (P = 0.097) live-born piglets and fewer (P = 0.084) stillborn piglets than did sows that were fed additional fat, whereas sows that were fed additional starch were intermediate for these variables. Piglet mortality after birth was not affected by dietary treatment. Body weight and backfat gains in the last month of gestation were higher for sows fed additional starch or fat than for sows fed the high-NSP diet (P < 0.001 and P = 0.017, respectively). Feed intake in lactation was greatest by sows fed the high-NSP diet, least by sows fed additional starch at the end of gestation, and intermediate by sows fed additional fat (P = 0.099). The differences in lactation feed intake did not result in differences in BW and backfat losses during lactation. Sows that were fed additional fat had the greatest glucose area under the curve (P = 0.044), indicating that these sows were less tolerant to glucose. In conclusion, feeding additional energy (starch or fat) in late-gestating sows that are fed a high-NSP diet did not increase litter weight at birth or piglet survival, but did increase maternal gain. Feeding sows additional energy from fat might induce glucose intolerance, whereas feeding sows additional energy from starch did not induce glucose intolerance.

Influence of cereal non-starch polysaccharides and enzyme supplementation on digestion site and gut environment in weaned piglets

The partial degradation of β-glucans and arabinoxylans in cereal-based diets by specific enzymes may improve the nutritional value for the pig. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the influence of diets with different contents of cereal non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) without or with supplementation of the enzymes endo-(1-3),(1-4)-β-glucanase and endo-(1-4)-β-xylanase on digestibility and gut environment. A total of 32 male castrated (Y × L) piglets from eight litters was allocated to a diet high in NSP (H) or low in NSP (L), each diet without and with enzyme supplementation (1 g/kg diet each of β-glucanase and β-xylanase). Diet H contained 874 g cereals and 197 g NSP/kg DM and was composed of triticale:wheat bran:oats:wheat:barley in relative proportions of 0.367:0.341:0.143:0.120:0.029. Diet L contained 433 g cereals and 106 g NSP/kg DM and the cereal part was composed of triticale:wheat bran:oats:barley:wheat in relative proportions of 0.432:0.360:0.120:0.048:0.039. The trial started before weaning when the piglets were aged 27–28 days (live weight 8.9±0.6 kg). After 14 days on the respective diets (mean live weight 11.6±1.3 kg) the piglets were euthanised and digesta samples collected from the gastro-intestinal tract. The high NSP level resulted in increased daily gain ( P < 0.05), decreased digestibility ( P < 0.05) of organic matter in the ileum, caecum, colon and rectum, decreased pH ( P < 0.05) in the caecum and colon and increased content ( P < 0.05) of total organic acids (OA) in the stomach and ileum. Furthermore, the high NSP level resulted in an increased ( P < 0.05) molar proportion of lactic acid (of total OA) in the stomach and ileum and an increased ( P < 0.05) molar proportion of propionic and butyric acid (of short chain fatty acids, SCFA) in the ileum. Enzyme supplementation increased ( P < 0.05) the molar proportion of lactic acid (of total OA) in the ileum and decreased ( P < 0.05) the molar proportion of acetic acid (of SCFA) in the ileum. In conclusion, dietary NSP level influenced the digestibility of organic matter, as well as the gut environment. However, the digestibility of dietary fibre components was unaffected by NSP level. An increased dietary content of NSP and supplementation with fibre degrading enzymes influenced the distribution of OA in the ileum, indicating a shift in dominating bacteria.

The impact of high non-starch polysaccharide intake on serum micronutrient concentrations in a cohort of women

Many public health campaigns encourage increased fibre consumption, but short-term studies suggest that various components of dietary fibre inhibit the absorption of certain micronutrients including carotenoids. These do not take into account long-term adaptation to nutrient intake levels. We aimed to investigate the effect of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) fibre on plasma micronutrient concentrations in a large free-living population consuming their usual diet. Prospective cohort study. Semi-weighed 4-day food diaries were analysed for micronutrient and NSP fibre intakes. Blood samples were taken and analysed for carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin C and trace metals. Participants in a large national cohort study who lived within 30 miles of Leeds. Two hundred and eighty-three middle-aged women. The association between NSP intake and plasma nutrient concentrations was assessed taking into account nutrient intakes and other dietary and lifestyle factors. Higher levels of NSP were not associated with lower plasma concentrations of the micronutrients measured, even allowing for the higher nutrient levels generally found in high-fibre foods. Amongst middle-aged women we have shown that current guidelines for increasing the population's NSP consumption can be safely applied. Such guidelines are unlikely to reduce serum micronutrient concentrations, although other, more vulnerable population groups may benefit from further investigation.

Influence of Cereal Non-Starch Polysaccharides on Ileo-Caecal and Rectal Microbial Populations in Growing Pigs

The effect of cereal non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) on the gut microbial populations was studied in 5 growing pigs between 39–116 kg body weight according to a Latin square design. The diets were composed to contain different NSP levels. The control diet had a normal NSP content (139 g/kg dry matter (DM)), 2 diets had a low total amount of NSP (95 and 107 g/kg DM) and 2 diets had a high amount of total NSP (191 and 199 g/kg DM). Furthermore, one of the diets within each category had a content of insoluble NSP similar to the control diet and one had a high content of insoluble NSP. Samples were collected from the ileum, via intestinal post valve T-caecum (PVTC) cannulas surgically inserted at the ileo-caecal ostium, and from the rectum. The total microbial flora of the ileal samples were analysed for by defining base pair length with terminal restriction fraction length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The microbial diversity of the coliform flora of the ileal and rectal samples were defined by biochemical fingerprinting. It was observed that many terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) disappeared when new diets were introduced and that some characteristic TRFs were found in the high and low NSP diets, respectively. Both the total gut microflora and the coliform flora were influenced by the dietary NSP content.

Influence of cereal non-starch polysaccharides on digestion site and gut environment in growing pigs

Five Yorkshire castrates fitted with a post valve T-caecum (PVTC) cannula were used in a 5×5 Latin square design to study the influence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in cereal based diets on site and extent of digestion and gut environment. The cereal part of the control diet was designed to resemble a Swedish slaughter pig feed. Diets H and Hi had a high total NSP content, and by starch dilution, the resulting diets L and Li had a low total NSP content. The insoluble proportion (i) of the total NSP was higher in diets Hi and Li than in the other diets. There was a linear decrease ( P<0.05) in both ileal and total tract digestibility of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and energy with increasing dietary NSP content. NSP solubility had no effect ( P>0.05) on ileal digestibility of nutrients or dietary fibre (DF) components. The total tract digestibility of OM, fat and energy, and of all DF components was increased ( P<0.05) with higher levels of soluble NSP. The total organic acid content and pH in ileal digesta were linearly related ( R 2=0.90). Diets L and Li showed a higher ( P<0.05) proportion of acetic acid in ileal digesta compared to diets H and Hi.

Performance of sows fed high levels of nonstarch polysaccharides during gestation and lactation over three parities.

The effect of feeding sows a starch diet or a diet with a high level of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) during gestation, lactation, or both gestation and lactation during the first three parities on reproductive performance, body weight, and backfat was studied. Four-hundred and forty-four postpuberal gilts were allotted to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Treatments were diet composition during gestation (including the weaning-to-estrus interval; G-Starch: 274 g/kg of starch and 123 g/kg of fermentable NSP or G-NSP: 86 g/kg of starch and 300 g/kg of fermentable NSP), diet composition during lactation (L-Starch: 293 g/kg of starch and 113 g/kg of fermentable NSP or L-NSP: 189 g/kg of starch and 216 g/kg of fermentable NSP) and group-housing system during gestation (free access stalls or electronic feeding). Both gestation diets were formulated to be isoenergetic. During lactation, sows were given free access to the lactation diets from d 6 after parturition onwards. Body weight and backfat gains during gestation were lower in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.001). The effects were more pronounced in the electronic feeding system than in the free access stalls. These results indicate an overestimation of the energy value of fermentable NSP. Body weight and backfat losses during lactation were less in sows fed the G-NSP diet during gestation than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05),which can be explained by a 0.4 kg/d higher (P < 0.001) feed intake during lactation of the sows fed the G-NSP diet. Sows fed the L-NSP diet lost more backfat during lactation than sows fed the L-starch diet (P < 0.05). The number of total piglets born and live-born piglets was 0.5 piglet higher in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05). Lactation diet did not affect the number of total piglets born or live-born piglets. This study shows that, although high NSP diets negatively influence body weight and backfat thickness of the sows, it is possible to feed sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP diet during both gestation and lactation without negative effects on reproductive performance. Under the conditions of this study, feeding sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP during gestation and a high level of starch during lactation seems the most favorable feeding strategy.

Effects of a xylanase on individual bird variation, starch digestion throughout the intestine, and ileal and caecal volatile fatty acid production in chickens fed wheat

1. The effects of a xylanase on digesta viscosity and starch digestibility throughout the small intestine and volatile fatty acid production in the ileum and caeca were investigated in broilers fed on a low-metabolisable energy wheat diet. 2. The xylanase reduced (P <0.01) duodenal (2.9 vs 1 7), jejunal (4.6 vs 2.3) and ileal (14.0 vs 3.9) digesta viscosities (mPas) and increased AME (P <0 01) of the wheat and starch digestibility (P <0.5) in the jejunum and ileum. Between-bird variability in ME and digestibility of starch was also reduced. 3. Enzyme supplementation reduced (P <0.05) fermentation in the ileum, but increased (P <0.05) it in the caeca. 4. The anti-nutritive effect of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) is related to their ability to increase digesta viscosity along the gut; this in turn causes changes in gut microflora and efficiency of nutrient utilisation by the chicken. Use of appropriate enzymes is an effective way of dealing with grains with high NSP content in poultry diets.

Carbohydrate as a nutrient in adults: range of acceptable intakes.

This review considers the acute and chronic effects of different levels of carbohydrate (CHO) intakes. The type of CHO consumed, especially glucose vs fructose, affects the glycaemic, insulinaemic and thermogenic responses. In addition, other aspects of food (type of starch, method of processing or cooking, presence of other nutrients) affects the glycaemic response (glycaemic index). In general, the greatest benefit to health is derived from consuming foods with a low glycaemic index and a high non-starch polysaccharide (fibre) content. Healthy, moderately active adults require at least 200g CHO per day to sustain normal brain metabolism and muscle function. Moreover, the CHO content should represent at least 50% of energy intake. Higher intakes of CHO can have deleterious effects on blood lipids (especially plasma triacylglycerol) in middle-aged and elderly subjects, and are really only appropriate for subjects with a high level of physical activity who need to maintain muscle glycogen content. Meals with a high carbohydrate content can lead to problems of postprandial hypotension in the elderly, and impaired exercise capacity in patients with angina.