Non-starch Polysaccharide Content Research Articles

Compositional profile and variation of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles from various origins with focus on non-starch polysaccharides

Corn-, wheat- and mixed cereal Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) were investigated for compositional variability among DDGS origins, ethanol plants, and the relationship between corn and corresponding DDGS. A total of 138 DDGS samples were analyzed by use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for common constituents, while 63 DDGS samples along with 11 corn samples were characterized for their non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content. The results indicated that the compositional profile of DDGS reflected the nutrient content of the parent grain but with a greater content of remaining nutrients (e.g. protein, fat, fibre and minerals) after fermentation of starch to ethanol. Corn DDGS differentiated from wheat DDGS by a greater content of fat (P≤0.006), insoluble-NSP (P<0.001), uronic acids (P<0.001), cellulose (P=0.032), and arabinose/xylose (P<0.001) – and uronic acid/xylose-ratio (P<0.001). Wheat DDGS differentiated from corn DDGS by a greater content of ash (P=0.001), soluble-NSP (P<0.001), and Klason lignin (P<0.001). Among the three sources of DDGS, the greatest variation was observed for the content of soluble-NSPs, especially soluble arabinoxylan. Based on the compositional profiles of the DDGS, principal component analysis allowed for a visual differentiation of corn DDGS from five different ethanol plants, indicating the potential of each ethanol plant to produce DDGS with consistent compositional characteristics. Furthermore, investigation of corn and corresponding DDGS indicated that the NSP fraction is modified during the fermentation process, especially arabinoxylan, by an increase in soluble arabinoxylan proportion in DDGS. In addition, the arabinose/xylose (P<0.001) and uronic acid/xylose-ratio (P<0.001) were greater for corn, compared with corresponding DDGS, indicating modifications of the endosperm arabinoxylan during the fermentation and drying process.

Evaluation of free water and water activity measurements as functional alternatives to total moisture content in broiler excreta and litter samples

Litter moisture contents vary greatly between and within practical poultry barns. The current experiment was designed to measure the effects of 8 different dietary characteristics on litter and excreta moisture content. Additionally, free water content and water activity of the excreta and litter were evaluated as additional quality measures. The dietary treatments consisted of nonstarch polysaccharide content (NSP; corn vs. wheat), particle size of insoluble fiber (coarse vs. finely ground oat hulls), viscosity of a nonfermentable fiber (low- and high-viscosity carboxymethyl cellulose), inclusion of a clay mineral (sepiolite), and inclusion of a laxative electrolyte (MgSO4). The 8 treatments were randomly assigned to cages within blocks, resulting in 12 replicates per treatment with 6 birds per replicate. Limited effects of the dietary treatments were noted on excreta and litter water activity, and indications were observed that this measurement is limited in high-moisture samples. Increasing dietary NSP content by feeding a corn-based diet (low NSP) compared with a wheat-based diet (high NSP) increased water intake, excreta moisture and free water, and litter moisture content. Adding insoluble fibers to the wheat-based diet reduced excreta and litter moisture content, as well as litter water activity. Fine grinding of the oat hulls diminished the effect on litter moisture and water activity. However, excreta moisture and free water content were similar when fed finely or coarsely ground oat hulls. The effects of changing viscosity and adding a clay mineral or laxative deviated from results observed in previous studies. Findings of the current experiment indicate a potential for excreta free water measurement as an additional parameter to assess excreta quality besides total moisture. The exact implication of this parameter warrants further investigation.

Evaluation of the nutritive value of muiumba (Baikiaea plurijuga) seeds: chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility and in vitro gas production.

One of the main constraints hindering the increase of animal production in semi-arid regions of Africa is the inadequate supply of nutrients during the dry season. Incorporation of alternative feed resources in ruminant diets during this period could be a viable approach to overcome these limitations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of muiumba (Baikiaea plurijuga) tree seeds as an alternative nutrient source for ruminants. Muiumba seeds were compared to other eight feedstuffs including two cereal grains (corn and oat), two wheat by-products (wheat bran and distilled wheat) and four protein meals (coconut meal, sunflower meal, soybean meal and rapeseed meal) as to its chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro gas production. The moderate crude protein concentrations (145 g/kg DM) of muiumba seeds indicate that this feedstuff could not be used as a protein supplement, contrarily to the majority of multipurpose tree seeds. Although the starch content was scarce (15 g/kg DM), the low neutral detergent fibre (235 g/kg DM), low molecular weight sugar (76.1 g/kg DM) and non-starch polysaccharide (510.5 g/kg DM) contents indicate that this feedstuff has potential feeding value. This was confirmed by the IVOMD (0.770) and by the data provided by the in vitro gas production showing that muiumba seeds had high (P < 0.05) maximum gas production and fractional fermentation rates, suggesting that these seeds are characterized by a highly fermentable fraction.

Growth performance, nutrient utilization, and digesta characteristics in broiler chickens fed corn or wheat diets without or with supplemental xylanase

Efficacy of supplemental xylanase on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and digesta characteristics in broiler chickens fed corn- or wheat-based diets was investigated. In experiment 1, 192 male broilers (8 birds/pen; n = 6) were fed 4 diets (corn or wheat without or with 1,250 xylanase units/kg) in 2 phases (starter, d 0–21 and grower, d 22–42). There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between diet and xylanase on performance (d 0–42). Wheat diets resulted (P < 0.01) in better performance than corn diets, whereas xylanase-fed birds had improved (P < 0.01) BW gain (2,457 vs. 2,275 g) and feed per gain (1.677 vs. 1.762) relative to birds not fed xylanase. In experiment 2, TiO2 (0.3%) was added in starter diets used in experiment 1, allocated to 13-d-old broiler chicks (n = 6) housed in cages (6 birds/cage) and fed up to d 21. Excreta samples were obtained from d 17 to 20 and birds were euthanized on d 21 for digesta. Corn diets had a greater concentration (10.7 vs. 9.8%) of insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) than wheat diets, which in turn had more than twice the concentration of soluble NSP. There was an interaction (P < 0.03) between diet type and xylanase on jejunal digesta viscosity but not (P > 0.10) on apparent ileal digestibilities of nutrients, cecal volatile fatty acids, and AMEn. In this context, diet type influenced (P < 0.05) cecal volatile fatty acids and retention of nutrients and fiber but did not affect (P = 0.45) AMEn. In contrast, xylanase-fed birds showed higher (P < 0.05) ceca digesta acetic acid, apparent ileal digestibilities of nutrients, and retention of components. As a result, birds fed xylanase had higher AMEn (3,059 vs. 2,995 kcal/kg; P < 0.01) compared with birds not fed xylanase. Although wheat diets had superior growth performance, the AMEn was similar in both diets. Xylanase improved growth performance and AMEn independent of diet type, suggesting hydrolysis of both soluble and insoluble NSP.

Fermentable non-starch polysaccharides increases the abundance of Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas in ileal microbial community of growing pigs

Most plant-origin fiber sources used in pig production contains a mixture of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). The knowledge about effects of these sources of NSP on the gut microbiota and its fermentation products is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of feeding diets with native sources of NSP on the ileal and fecal microbial composition and the dietary impact on the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid. The experiment comprised four diets and four periods in a change-over design with seven post valve t-cecum cannulated growing pigs. The four diets were balanced to be similar in NSP content and included one of four fiber sources, two diets were rich in pectins, through inclusion of chicory forage (CFO) and sugar beet pulp, and two were rich in arabinoxylan, through inclusion of wheat bran (WB) and grass meal. The gut microbial composition was assessed with terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length polymorphism and the abundance of Lactobacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas and the β-xylosidase gene, xynB, were assessed with quantitative PCR. The gut microbiota did not cluster based on NSP structure (arabinoxylan or pectin) rather, the effect was to a high degree ingredient specific. In pigs fed diet CFO, three TRFs related to Prevotellaceae together consisted of more than 25% of the fecal microbiota, which is about 3 to 23 times higher (P<0.05) than in pigs fed the other diets. Whereas pigs fed diet WB had about 2 to 22 times higher abundance (P<0.05) of Megasphaera elsdenii in feces and about six times higher abundance (P<0.05) of Lactobacillus reuteri in ileal digesta than pigs fed the other diets. The total amount of digested NSP (r=0.57; P=0.002), xylose (r=0.53; P=0.004) and dietary fiber (r=0.60; P=0.001) in ileal digesta were positively correlated with an increased abundance of Bacteroides–Prevotella–Porphyromonas. The effect on SCFA was correlated to specific neutral sugars where xylose increased the ileal butyric acid proportion, whereas arabinose increased the fecal butyric acid proportion. Moreover, chicory pectin increased the acetic acid proportion in both ileal digesta and feces.

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.

Characteristics of Modern Triticale Quality: The Relationship Between Carbohydrate Properties, α‐Amylase Activity, and Falling Number

ABSTRACTTriticale is a high‐yielding cereal crop with potential to increase grain production for human consumption over the coming decades. Minimal targeted selection has been conducted to produce cultivars with α‐amylase, amylose, and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content appropriate for a milling market. Nevertheless, genotypic variability exists. Standard quality screening methods used for wheat, including pasting properties, falling number, and quantification of α‐amylase activity were employed to assess the environmental and genotypic variability among modern triticale cultivars and to investigate the suitability of these tests for triticale. Samples of 11 triticale lines from four environments were compared with five wheat cultivars bred for various end uses. Triticale exhibited a greater range than wheat for most tested variables, and the ranges usually overlapped. Triticale exhibited higher NSP content, generally equivalent pasting properties, higher α‐amylase activity, and lower falling number on average compared with wheat checks. However, low falling number was not indicative of high α‐amylase activity; the relationship with NSP level and other factors is discussed, and caution is recommended for interpretation of previous research. Three cultivars with equivalent α‐amylase activity to wheat and two with partially waxy starch were identified. These findings have great significance for research and the emerging triticale milling market.

Interaction between protease and xylanase in broiler chicken diets containing sorghum distillers’ dried grains with solubles

Individual or combined effects of xylanase and protease on the nutritive value of diets containing sorghum distillers’ dried grains with solubles (sDDGS) in broiler chickens were investigated. A total of 480 day-old male broiler chickens were assessed in a 3×2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments (0, 150 or 300g sDDGS/kg diet, with or without xylanase, and with or without protease) in a 21d study. Each of the 12 treatments was replicated 5 times, accommodating 8 birds per replicate. Feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) of the birds were increased (P<0.001) by inclusion of sDDGS to the diets independent of enzyme supplementation. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) deteriorated (P<0.001) with the incorporation of sDDGS into the diets at both levels. Protease improved feed consumption (P<0.05) and BWG (P<0.01) of the birds when assessed for the 21d study with an interaction with inclusion of sDDGS (P<0.05). Regardless of sDDGS and protease, xylanase significantly improved (P<0.01) FCR at any period of the trial. Digestibility of protein and most amino acids was adversely affected (P<0.001) by the inclusion of 150 and 300g sDDGS/kg diet. While protease individually improved (P<0.01) methionine digestibility, independent of sDDGS inclusion, an admixture of xylanase and protease did not result in further improvement in amino acid digestibility. Addition of xylanase reduced (P<0.05) the concentration of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in the ileum. Noticeably, the response of birds to xylanase supplementation on the concentrations of arabinose, xylose and total insoluble NSP was compromised when xylanase and protease were added to the diet simultaneously. To conclude, despite lack of significant synergy, supplementation of xylanase and protease to the diets containing sDDGS was beneficial for the FCR and BWG of the birds, respectively.

Digestibility of fibre sources and molecular weight distribution of fibre fractions in ileal digesta of growing pigs

Seven post-valve T-caecum cannulated growing pigs were used in a change-over experiment with four diets and four 14-day periods to evaluate the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and the ileal apparent digestibility (IAD) of diets with inclusion of chicory forage (CFO), sugar beet pulp (SBP), wheat bran (WB) and grass meal (GM), as well as the TTAD of the mentioned fibre sources. Moreover, this experiment evaluated the molecular weight distribution of soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) fractions in diet and ileal digesta from pigs fed the CFO and SBP diets. The experimental diets were balanced to have similar NSP content and compromised of one part of the basal diet and one part of the four fibre sources (CFO, SBP, WB and GM). In addition, all pigs were fed the basal diet during a 14-day period before and after the experimental periods. Diet affected the TTAD of all dietary components except glucose. The TTAD of organic matter (OM) was higher for Diet SBP than for Diets WB and CFO, showing both were higher than Diet GM. The TTAD of NSP was higher for Diet SBP than Diets WB and GM. The IAD of OM was higher in Diet SBP than in the other diets. The IAD of NSP was lower in Diet WB than in the other diets. The TTAD of OM and energy of CFO was 0.43 ± 0.04 (standard error), which is similar to that reported for commonly used forage crops. The molecular weight distribution in ileal digesta showed different distributions between Diets CFO and SBP as well as between digesta from pigs fed these diets.

Chemical Characterization and Water Holding Capacity of Fibre-rich Feedstuffs Used for Pigs in Vietnam.

During two years, four samples per year were collected in Vietnam from rice bran, cassava residue, brewer’s grain, tofu residue, soybean meal, coconut cake, sweet potato vines and water spinach for chemical analysis and assessment of water holding capacity (WHC). The selected feedstuffs represent fibre-rich plant sources and agro-industry co-products commonly used in pig feeding in Vietnam. The content (g/kg DM) of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) varied between feedstuffs and ranged from 21 to 506 for CP, from 14 to 118 for EE and from 197 to 572 for NSP. Cassava residue had a high starch content of 563 g/kg DM, while sweet potato vines, water spinach, coconut cake and soybean meal had a high content of sugars (63–71 g/kg DM). The content of individual neutral sugars varied between feed ingredients, with the highest content of arabinose, galactose and glucose in tofu residue, the highest content of xylose in brewer’s grain and the highest content of mannose in coconut cake. The content of uronic acid was high for cassava residue, tofu residue, sweet potato vines and water spinach (57–88 g/kg DM). The content of soluble non-cellulosic polysaccharides (S-NCP) was positively correlated (r2 = 0.82) to the WHC. The content (g/kg DM) of CP, NDF, neutral sugars, total NSP, total NCP, S-NCP and total dietary fibre in tofu residue, water spinach and coconut cake varied (p<0.05) between years. In conclusion, diet formulation to pigs can be improved if the variation in chemical composition of the fibre fraction and in WHC between potential feed ingredients is taken into account.

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.

Nutrition and pathology of weaner pigs: Nutritional strategies to support barrier function in the gastrointestinal tract

Factors including sub-optimal nutrient and energy intake associated with lowered digestion and absorption, immature immune function, and psychosomatic factors caused by weaning can compromise intestinal barrier function through mucosal damage and alteration of tight junction integrity. As a consequence, pigs at weaning are highly susceptible to pathogenic enteric diseases such as post-weaning colibacillosis (PWC) caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Dietary components such as protein, non-starch polysaccharides, and minerals are known to influence microbial growth in the gastrointestinal tract as undigested nutrients then become available for bacterial growth. This article reviews the association between dietary components, intestinal bacterial growth, intestinal barrier function, and enteric disease in weaner pigs with special emphasis on PWC. Evidence presented in this review indicates that the pathogen-originated diseases such as PWC are closely associated with dietary components and intestinal barrier functions can be maintained through manipulation of dietary protein, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and mineral levels. Especially, the use of a reduced protein diet for at least 7 days immediately after weaning, limitation of viscosity-increasing soluble NSP content while including 20–80g/kg insoluble NSP source in the diet, and limitation of iron to 100mg/kg are important dietary strategies to maintain intestinal barrier function and to minimise PWC.

Effects of dietary energy concentration, nonstarch polysaccharide concentration, and particle sizes of nonstarch polysaccharides on digesta mean retention time and gut development in laying hens

1. From an experiment with 504 laying hens (ISA Brown strain, 18–40 weeks of age), 90 40-week old hens were used for determining digesta mean retention time (MRT) and gut weight development. This experiment comprised 6 dietary treatments according to a 2 × 3 factorial design. Factors were dietary apparent metabolisable energy (AME) concentration (11·8 vs 10·6 MJ/kg), insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) concentration (65 vs 134 g/kg), and fine vs coarse particle sizes of added NSP. Titanium recovery in different gut segments was used as an indicator of MRT. 2. Increasing NSP concentration prolonged MRT in the crop (68 vs 34 min) and total foregut (91 vs 57 min) compared with control NSP. Reducing energy concentration prolonged MRT in the colon (26 vs 7 min), and total hind gut (30 vs 9 min), compared with control energy. Overall MRT was not affected by dietary treatments. 3. Increasing NSP concentration increased relative weights of the empty proventriculus-gizzard and its contents by 30% (25·2 vs 19·4 g/kg) and 18% (15·4 vs 13·0 g/kg), respectively, compared with control NSP diets. 4. MRT in the foregut was prolonged as daily insoluble NSP intake increased, and this was more pronounced in hens given coarsely ground NSP, compared with finely ground. A prolonged MRT in the foregut seemed to indicate a higher level of satiety, which may contribute to a lower feather pecking pressure in laying hens.

Effect of processing on the microstructure of finger millet by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy

Finger millet is one of the important minor cereals, and carbohydrates form its major chemical constituent. Recently, the millet is processed to prepare hydrothermally treated (HM), decorticated (DM), expanded (EM) and popped (PM) products. The present research aims to study the changes in the microstructure of carbohydrates using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Processing the millet brought in significant changes in the carbohydrates. The native millet exhibited A-type pattern of X-ray diffraction with major peaks at 2θ values of 15.3, 17.86 and 23.15°, whereas, all other products showed V-type pattern with single major peak at 2θ values ranging from 19.39 to 19.81°. The corresponding lattice spacing and the number of unit cells in a particular direction of reflection also reduced revealing that crystallinity of starch has been decreased depending upon the processing conditions. Scanning electron microscopic studies also revealed that the orderly pattern of starch granules changed into a coherent mass due to hydrothermal treatment, while high temperature short time treatment rendered a honey-comb like structure to the product. However, the total carbohydrates and non-starch polysaccharide contents almost remained the same in all the products except for DM and EM, but the individual carbohydrate components changed significantly depending on the type of processing.

Wheat flour non-starch polysaccharides and their effect on dough rheological properties

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) flour is able to form dough with unique rheological properties that allow bread making. It is well known that wheat protein content affects dough rheological properties, but there is not enough evidence about the role of other minor flour constituents. One such minor constituent is non-starch flour polysaccharides, which are mainly pentosans formed by a xylopyranosyl linear chain branched with arabinofuranosyl residues. Their spatial distribution and branching pattern can affect their relationship with gluten forming proteins and thus influence their functional properties, the dough rheological properties, and thereby the flour baking quality. In this study the content and structural characteristics of non-starch polysaccharides were investigated, as well as their influence on some dough physicochemical parameters. Five different wheat flours samples milled from Uruguayan wheat varieties with diverse rheological and breadmaking properties were used in this study. Water soluble flour polysaccharides were extracted and the amount of pentosans was determined by the orcinol–HCl method. The pentoses composition was determined before and after acidic hydrolysis of the water soluble polysaccharide fractions by GC. No free pentoses were detected in any of the assayed flour samples, so the pentoses composition found in the hydrolyzed samples was attributed to the non-starch water soluble polysaccharides. Water unextractable non-starch polysaccharides were determined by difference between the total and the soluble non-starch polysaccharides flour content. An improved method for the quantification of water extractable and non-extractable non-starch polysaccharides, using baker's yeast, was developed. Using this method, total and soluble non-starch polysaccharides content could reliably be determined both in whole flour and in pentosans enriched fractions. Free monosaccharide content was in the range from 0.03% to 0.06% (w/w), while the arabinose/xylose (Ara/Xyl) ratios varied from 0.8 to 1.4 in soluble non-starch polysaccharides and from 0.7 to 0.9 in total non-starch polysaccharides. The different Ara/Xyl ratios found for water extractable and unextractable arabinoxylans clearly indicates different substitution degrees in the polymers. Analysis of the dough rheological parameters in relation to the water soluble and non-soluble non-starch polysaccharides and the Ara/Xyl ratios from different wheat varieties was performed. A clear relation between some of these parameters could be inferred, since a direct relationship between total unextractable (AXi) content and resistance of dough to extension ( P), as well an inverse relationship between the same parameter and dough extensibility ( L) were observed. These results suggest that the flour non-starch polysaccharide content, as well the Ara/Xyl ratios may be used as additional parameters to estimate some of the wheat flours dough properties.

A survey of β‐glucan and arabinoxylan content in wheat

Dietary fibre lowers the risk of coronary heart disease and colorectal cancer. This survey quantifies mixed link β-glucan (MBG) and arabinoxylan (AX) in wheat and investigates relationships between the grain carbohydrates. MBG and AX contents were measured in 500 and 200 wheat accessions respectively, including diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid genotypes comprising primitive, synthetic and elite lines. Overall, MBG contents ranged between 1.8 and 18.0 g kg(-1) grain dry weight. In wheat-barley addition lines and triticale hexaploids the levels were 9.0-11.3 and 3.5-9.6 g kg(-1) respectively. The amounts in synthetic wheats were nearer their tetraploid parents than their diploid parents. AX and total non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) contents ranged from 23.7 to 107.5 g kg(-1) and from 31.7 to 136.7 g kg(-1) respectively. Linear regressions showed that the relationships of starch and grain weight with NSP glucose were stronger than those with AX. The results indicated insufficient genetic diversity in the germplasm surveyed to initiate a breeding programme to increase the amount of MBG in wheat grain to 20 g kg(-1) , a level considered high enough to confer a 10-15% reduction in blood cholesterol.

β-glucans and their significance for the preparation of functional foods - a review

Cereals are generally known to have a positive influence on the general state of the human organism. The attention of the nutritional experts is paid especially to oats and barley. Besides their accessibility, these cereals are interesting due to their relatively high contents of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (fibrous material), out of which &amp;beta;-glucans have a dominant position from the aspect of health benefit. This paper presents a brief review of the latest knowledge on the positive effects of &amp;beta;-glucans on the consumer's health. The structure, occurrence, sources, and positive physiological effects of &amp;beta;-glucans on the cardiovascular system but also their antibacterial, antitumoral, immunomodulant, and radioprotective properties are mentioned. In the paper are given examples of &amp;beta;-glucans exploitation as functional ingredients in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries and as food additives on the basis of cereal fibres and cereal &amp;beta;-glucans.

Technology Optimization for Microwave-assisted Extraction of Water Soluble Dietary Fiber from Peanut Hull and Its Antioxidant Activity

In order to exploit and utilize peanut industry resources and produce additional high value products, the use of microwave-assisted technology for extracting water soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from peanut hull was investigated. The factors that influence the SDF extraction were studied via response surface methodology. Regression models for the relationships between these factors and SDF extraction yield as well as the percentage content of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) were established. The optimum parameters were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 1:16, microwave power of 700W, heating time of 6min, and heating temperature of 90°C. Under these conditions, the SDF extraction yield and NSP percentage content reached 2.68% and 56.06%, respectively. The IC50 values for SDF scavenging of hydroxyl free radicals, superoxide anion free radicals, and DPPH free radicals were 0.78 mg/mL, 6.66 mg/mL, and 5.12 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the iron and molybdenum reduction capacities were similar to 8.015 μg/mL and 28.505 μg/mL ascorbic acid reduction capacities, respectively.

Extrusion of Peas (Pisum sativum L.): Effects on the Apparent Metabolisable Energy and Ileal Nutrient Digestibility of Broilers

Problem statement: The potential feeding values of grain legumes, such as peas (Pisum sativum), are limited because of the presence of anti-nutritional factors. In particular, protease inhibitors are of interest, but these can be readily destroyed by thermal treatments. In the present study, the influence of extrusion on the chemical composition and nutritive value of peas was evaluated. Approach: Two extrudates were produced by extruding the peas at two moisture levels (19 and 22%) and one temperature (140°C). Four treatment diets consisting of a corn-soy basal diet and three test diets containing raw and the two extruded pea meals were formulated and assayed in digestibility and balance trials using broiler chickens. The test diets were formulated by substituting the raw and extruded pea meals for 25% (w/w) of the basal diet. Ileal nutrient digestibility was calculated using titanium oxide as an indigestible indicator and the apparent metabolisable energy was determined using the classical total excreta collection method. Results: Extrusion had no effect (P>0.05) on the contents of crude protein and starch. Soluble non-starch polysaccharide contents were increased (P 0.05) on the apparent ileal protein digestibility and the apparent metabolisable energy of peas. Conclusion: Under the extrusion conditions employed in the present study, extrusion was not beneficial to improving the nutritive value of peas for broilers.