Soluble Non-starch Polysaccharides Research Articles

The effect of variety and growing conditions on the chemical composition and nutritive value of wheat for broilers.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of variety and growing conditions of wheat on broiler performance and nutrient digestibility. One hundred and sixty-four wheat samples, collected from a wide range of different sources, locations, varieties and years, were analyzed for a range of chemical and physical parameters. Chemical and physical parameters measured included specific weight, thousand grain weight (TG), in vitro viscosity, gross energy, N, NDF, starch, total and soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), lysine, threonine, amylose, hardness, rate of starch digestion and protein profiles. Ninety-four of the wheat samples were selected for inclusion in four bird trials. Birds were housed in individual wire metabolizm cages from 7 to 28 d and offered water and feed ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain (LWG) and gain:feed were determined weekly. A balance collection was carried out from 14 to 21 d for determination of apparent metabolizable energy (AME), ME:gain, DM retention, oil and NDF digestibility. At 28 d the birds were sacrificed, the contents of the jejunum removed for determination of in vivo viscosity and the contents of the ileum removed for determination of ileal DM, starch and protein digestibility. The wheat samples used in the study had wide-ranging chemical and physical parameters, leading to bird DMI, LWG, gain:feed, ME:GE, AME content and ileal starch and protein digestibility being significantly (p<0.05) affected by wheat sample. A high level of N fertilizer application to the English and NI wheat samples tended to benefit bird performance, with increases of up to 3.4, 7.2 and 3.8% in DMI, LWG and gain:feed, respectively. Fungicide application also appeared to have a positive effect on bird performance, with fungicide treated (+F) wheat increasing bird DMI, LWG and gain:feed by 6.6, 9.3 and 2.7%, over the non-fungicide treated (-F) wheats. An increase (p<0.1) of 9.3% in gain:feed was also observed at the low seed rate of 40 compared to 640 seeds/m2. It was concluded that the type of wheat sample and environmental growing conditions significantly affects bird performance when fed wheat-based diets.

Impact of fibre intake and fibre source on digestibility, gut development, retention time and growth performance of indigenous and exotic pigs

The impact of fibre level and fibre source on digestibility, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, total tract mean retention time (MRT) and growth performance was studied in indigenous Mong Cai (MC) and exotic Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) pigs. The diets were based on maize, rice bran, soyabean meal, fish meal and soyabean oil, and cassava residue (CR) or brewer's grain (BG) as fibrous ingredient sources in the high-fibre diets (HF) and were fed ad libitum. A low-fibre diet (LF), containing around 200 g NDF/kg dry matter (DM), was formulated without CR and BG as feed ingredients. The HF diets (HF-CR and HF-BG) were formulated to contain around 270 g NDF/kg DM. The experiment was arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial completely randomized design with six replications, and lasted 27 days. Increased dietary fibre level resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) in average daily gain, digestibility of organic matter (OM), CP and gross energy (GE) at the ileum and in the total tract, and in MRT, and an increase (P < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio and in the weight of the GIT (except for small intestine and caecum). The coefficients of total tract digestibility of fibre fractions were higher in HF diets than in the LF diet, with highest values for diet HF-CR, which had a high proportion of soluble non-starch polysaccharides. MC pigs had longer MRT of digesta than LY pigs (P < 0.05), resulting in higher digestibility at the ileum and in the total tract. Across diets and breeds, the total tract apparent digestibility of OM, CP and GE was positively related (R2 = 0.80 to 0.84) to the MRT of solids, whereas the MRT was negatively related to the DM intake (R2 = 0.60).

Molecular weight distribution of soluble fiber fractions and short chain fatty acids in ileal digesta of growing pigs.

The effect of dietary fiber source on molecular weight (MW) distribution of soluble fiber fractions and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in ileal digesta of 7 post valve T-cecum (PVTC) cannulated growing pigs was studied. Pigs were fed semisynthetic diets with sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) pulp (SBP) or chicory (Cichorium intybus) forage (CFO) as fiber sources of which the soluble nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) fraction originated mainly from pectin. Three MW intervals were selected-large MW (MWL): 10,000,000 to 1,000,000 g/mol, medium MW (MWM): 1,000,000 to 200,000 g/mol, and small MW (MWS): 200,000 to 10,000 g/mol-and the relative distribution (% of total) of molecules in each interval was calculated. The MWM fraction was higher (P < 0.05) in ileal digesta of pigs fed diet SBP and the MWS fraction was higher (P < 0.05) in ileal digesta of pigs fed diet CFO. The mole/100 mole of propionic acid (HPr) was higher (P < 0.010) in pigs fed diet SBP whereas pigs fed diet CFO had higher (P < 0.010) mole/100 mole of acetic acid (HAc). The proportion of the MWL and MWM fractions in ileal digesta were negatively correlated to HAc (r = -0.52, P = 0.05, and r = -0.62, P = 0.02, respectively). The proportion of MWM in ileal digesta was positively correlated to HPr (r = 0.83; P = 0.001) whereas MWS and HPr were negatively correlated (r = -0.76; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the bacterial degradation of the soluble NSP fraction is selective and MW distribution may explain differences in SCFA production.

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.

Soluble plantain fibre blocks adhesion and M-cell translocation of intestinal pathogens

Dietary fibres may have prebiotic effects mediated by promotion of beneficial bacteria. This study explores the possibility that soluble plant fibre may also improve health by inhibiting epithelial adhesion and translocation by pathogenic bacteria. We have focussed on soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) from plantain bananas (Musa spp.) which previous studies showed to be particularly effective at blocking Escherichia coli epithelial adherence. In vitro and ex vivo studies assessed the ability of plantain NSP to inhibit epithelial cell adhesion and invasion of various bacterial pathogens, and to inhibit their translocation through microfold (M)-cells and human Peyer′s patches mounted in Ussing chambers. Plantain NSP showed dose-related inhibition of epithelial adhesion and M-cell translocation by a range of pathogens. At 5mg/ml, a concentration readily achievable in the gut lumen, plantain NSP inhibited adhesion to Caco2 cells by Salmonella Typhimurium (85.0±8.2%, P<.01), Shigella sonnei (46.6±29.3%, P<.01), enterotoxigenic E.coli (56.1±23.7%, P<.05) and Clostridium difficile (67.6±12.3%, P<.001), but did not inhibit adhesion by enteropathogenic E.coli. Plantain NSP also inhibited invasion of Caco2 cells by S. Typhimurium (80.2 ± 9.7%) and Sh. sonnei (46.7±13.4%); P<.01. Plantain NSP, 5mg/ml, also inhibited translocation of S. Typhimurium and Sh. sonnei across M-cells by 73.3±5.2% and 46.4±7.7% respectively (P<.05). Similarly, S. Typhimurium translocation across Peyer′s patches was reduced 65.9±8.1% by plantain NSP (P<.01). Soluble plantain fibre can block epithelial adhesion and M-cell translocation of intestinal pathogens. This represents an important novel mechanism by which soluble dietary fibres can promote intestinal health and prevent infective diarrhoea.

Metabolizable energy and digestible amino acid prediction of wheat using mathematical models

Wheat is a common raw material used to provide most of the energy and a great portion of amino acids in poultry diets. The routine investigation of metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible amino acid content determination are costly and time consuming for wheat grains. Therefore, it would be helpful if the energy and digestible amino acid content of wheat grain samples could be predicted from their chemical composition. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the probability of AMEn, AME, and apparent ileal digestible amino acid (AIDAA) prediction in wheat samples based on chemical compositions. Multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least square (PLS), and Artificial neural network (ANN) methods were developed to estimate the AME values of wheat grain samples based on total and soluble nonstarch polysaccharides (study 1) and the AMEn based on DM, CP, and ash (study 2). Furthermore, MLR and ANN models were used to estimate the AIDAA via CP content of wheat samples (study 3). The fitness of the models in each study was tested using R2 values, RMS error, mean absolute deviation, mean absolute percentage error, and bias parameters. The results of studies 1 and 2 showed that AME can be predicted from the chemical composition. The prediction of AME of wheat through the ANN-based model showed higher accuracy and lower error parameters as compared with MLR and PLS models in both studies (1 and 2). The results of the third study indicated that CP can be used as a single model input to predict AIDAA in wheat samples. Furthermore, the ANN model may be used to improve model performance to estimate AIDAA as affected by CP content. The results demonstrated that the ANN model may be used to accurately estimate the ME and AIDAA values of wheat grain from its corresponding chemical compositions. As a result, this method provides an opportunity to reduce the risk of an unbalanced level of energy and amino acid in feed formulation for poultry.

Effect of guar gum on glucose and lipid metabolism in white sea bream Diplodus sargus

The aim of this study was to assess the role of soluble non-starch polysaccharide (guar gum) on white sea bream Diplodus sargus, glucose and lipid metabolism. A control diet was formulated to contain 40 % crude protein, 14 % crude lipids and 35 % pregelatinized maize starch, and three other diets were formulated similar to the control diet except for guar gum, which was included at 4 % (diet GG4), 8 % (diet GG8) or 12 % (diet GG12). Diets were fed to the fish for 9 weeks on a pair-feeding scheme. Guar gum had no effect on growth performance, feed efficiency, glycaemia, cholesterolaemia and plasma triacylglyceride levels. Hepatic glucokinase and pyruvate kinase activities, liver glycogen content and liver insulin-like growth factor-I gene expression were not affected by dietary guar gum, while fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity was lower in fish fed guar gum-supplemented diets. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed diets GG4 and GG8 than in the control group. Overall, data suggest that in contrast to mammals guar gum had no effect on white sea bream glucose utilization and in lowering plasma cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels. However, it seems to contribute to lower endogenous glucose production.

Dietary Roles of Non-Starch Polysachharides in Human Nutrition: A Review

Nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) occur naturally in many foods. The physiochemical and biological properties of these compounds correspond to dietary fiber. Nonstarch polysaccharides show various physiological effects in the small and large intestine and therefore have important health implications for humans. The remarkable properties of dietary NSPs are water dispersibility, viscosity effect, bulk, and fermentibility into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These features may lead to diminished risk of serious diet related diseases which are major problems in Western countries and are emerging in developing countries with greater affluence. These conditions include coronary heart disease, colo-rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, breast cancer, tumor formation, mineral related abnormalities, and disordered laxation. Insoluble NSPs (cellulose and hemicellulose) are effective laxatives whereas soluble NSPs (especially mixed-link β-glucans) lower plasma cholesterol levels and help to normalize blood glucose and insulin levels, making these kinds of polysaccharides a part of dietary plans to treat cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, a major proportion of dietary NSPs escapes the small intestine nearly intact, and is fermented into SCFAs by commensal microflora present in the colon and cecum and promotes normal laxation. Short chain fatty acids have a number of health promoting effects and are particularly effective in promoting large bowel function. Certain NSPs through their fermented products may promote the growth of specific beneficial colonic bacteria which offer a prebiotic effect. Various modes of action of NSPs as therapeutic agent have been proposed in the present review. In addition, NSPs based films and coatings for packaging and wrapping are of commercial interest because they are compatible with several types of food products. However, much of the physiological and nutritional impact of NSPs and the mechanism involved is not fully understood and even the recommendation on the dose of different dietary NSPs intake among different age groups needs to be studied.

Oxidative status and gut morphology of white sea bream, Diplodus sargus fed soluble non-starch polysaccharide supplemented diets

The present work aims to study the effect of a soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP), guar gum on white sea bream intestinal health through oxidative status and distal intestine morphology evaluation. A control diet was formulated to contain 40% crude protein, 14% crude lipids and 35% pregelatinized maize starch. Three other diets were formulated to include the same levels of all ingredients as control diet except for guar gum, which was included at 4% (diet GG4), 8% (diet GG8) or 12% (diet GG12). Compared to the control, lower catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and higher SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities were observed in the whole intestine of fish fed with diets GG4 and GG12, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) levels were unaffected by diet composition. No morphological alterations in the distal intestine were found among groups. Overall, data on key enzymes of the antioxidant enzymatic defense mechanism suggested that diet-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is dependent on guar gum inclusion levels and low dietary inclusion of soluble NSP (up to 4%) may have a gut oxidation stress prevention effect.

PMO-030 Soluble plant fibres, particularly leek and plantain, inhibit adherence of diarrhoea-associated pathogens C difficile and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli to intestinal epithelial cells

IntroductionIt has long been thought that dietary fibre promotes intestinal health and we have previously shown that the soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) from plantain bananas (Musa spp.) can inhibit the...

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.

The effects of dietary non-starch polysaccharides onAscaridia galliinfection in grower layers

This study examined whether Ascaridia galli infection can be controlled by dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in chickens. One-day-old chicks were fed either a basal diet (CON) or CON plus insoluble NSP (I-NSP), or CON plus soluble NSP (S-NSP) for 11 weeks. Three weeks later, birds from half of each feeding group were inoculated with 250 embryonated eggs of A. galli, and slaughtered 8 weeks post-infection to determine worm counts. Both NSP diets, particularly S-NSP, increased prevalence of infection (P<0·05) and worm burden (roughly +50%) of the birds (P<0·001). A. galli infection caused a less efficient (P=0·013) feed utilization for body weight gain (BWG) resulting in lower body weights (P<0·001) irrespective of type of diet consumed. NSP-fed birds, particularly those on I-NSP, consumed more (+8%) feed per unit BWG and showed retarded (P<0·001) BW development compared to CON-fed birds. Intracaecal pH was lowered by S-NSP (P<0·05). Both NSP diets increased the volatile fatty acids pool size in caeca (P<0·001) with S-NSP exerting a greater effect (+46%) than I-NSP (+24%). It is concluded that both NSPs supplemented diets alter gastrointestinal environment in favour of the nematode establishment, and thus have no potential for controlling A. galli infection in chickens.

Wheat‐ and barley‐based diets with or without additives influence broiler chicken performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microflora

To our knowledge, there is scant literature on comparative broiler response to cereal diets high in soluble non-starch polysaccharides without or with enzyme, prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic supplementation. In the present study, the effects of a wheat- and barley-based diet with or without supplemental xylanase plus β-glucanase, inulin, Enterococcus faecium or inulin plus Enterococcus faecium, on bird performance, digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microflora were compared to a maize-based diet. In comparison to a maize-based diet, the wheat- and barley-based diet reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain and feed intake, but did not affect to the feed-to-gain ratio. Apparent digestibility of crude fat and various fatty acids were decreased (P < 0.05) as well as apparent metabolisable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention content. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the viscosity of jejunal digesta and in the caecal numbers of Escherichia coli and lactobacilli, and a decrease in the ileal numbers of E. coli and lactobacilli. Performance parameters and nutrient digestibility were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary inclusion of the additives used, with the exception that exogenous enzyme improved (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude fat and decreased the viscosity of jejunal digesta. Enzyme and Enterococcus faecium supplementation increased intestinal lactic acid bacteria, whereas inulin addition reduced the number of E. coli (P < 0.05). Addition of inulin-Enterococcus faecium decreased E. coli and increased bifidobacteria numbers in the caeca. Enzyme supplementation to a wheat- and barley-based diet significantly improved the apparent digestibility of dietary fat. All four additives had a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora of broilers.

Soluble Plantain Fibre Blocks Epithelial Adhesion and M-Cell Translocation of Intestinal Pathogens

Introduction Dietary fibres may have prebiotic effects mediated by promotion of probiotic bacteria. This study explores the possibility that they may also improve health by inhibiting epithelial adhesion and translocation by pathogenic bacteria. We have focussed on soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) from plantain bananas ( Musa spp) since previous studies had shown that this is particularly effective at blocking Escherichia coli epithelial adherence. Methods The ability of plantain NSP to inhibit epithelial cell adhesion and invasion of various bacterial pathogens, their translocation through microfold (M)-cell monolayers (generated by co-culture of Caco2-cl1 cells and Raji B cells) and human Peyer9s patches mounted in Ussing chambers has been assessed. Results Plantain NSP showed dose-related inhibition of epithelial adhesion and M-cell translocation by a range of gut pathogens. Plantain NSP at 5 mg/ml, a concentration readily achievable in the human gut lumen, inhibited adhesion to Caco2 cells of Clostridium difficile (67.6±12.3%, p Salmonella typhimurium (85.0±8.2%, p Shigella sonnei (46.6±29.3%, p ETEC (56.1±23.67%, p Salmonella (80.2±9.7%) and Shigella (46.7±13.4%; both p 2 cells by plantain NSP was also confirmed by Giemsa stain and light microscopy. Plantain NSP, at 5 mg/ml, also inhibited translocation of Salmonella and Shigella across M-cells by 46% and 73% respectively (both P Salmonella translocation across follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of human ileal Peyer9s patches was observed with 5 mg/ml plantain NSP (p Conclusion Soluble plant fibre from plantain bananas inhibits invasion and adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to Caco2 cells, and their translocation across M-cells of the FAE. This represents a novel mechanism by which soluble dietary fibres could promote intestinal health and prevent infective diarrhoea.

* Soluble plantain fibre blocks epithelial adhesion and M-cell translocation of intestinal pathogens

IntroductionDietary fibres may have prebiotic effects mediated by promotion of probiotic bacteria. This study explores the possibility that they may also improve health by inhibiting epithelial adhesion and translocation by...

Growth performance, digestibility, and gut development of broiler chickens on diets with inclusion of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

A total of 256 broiler chickens (1 d old) were used in a 32-d growth trial to study the effects of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) forage and root inclusion on growth performance, digestibility, and gut development. The chicory forage originated from 2 harvests (June and September) and was included at 60 and 120 g/kg. The chicory root was included alone at 60 g/kg or together with chicory forage, from both harvests, in equal amounts (60 g/kg). The cereal-based control diet and 7 experimental diets were fed to each of 4 pens of chickens (8 chickens/pen). A higher BW gain and lower feed conversion ratio were found at 13 d of age in chickens fed the 60 g/kg chicory forage diet (P ≤ 0.05), whereas performance did not differ between the control and 60 g/kg chicory root diets. In contrast, a lower performance and digestibility of DM, organic matter, and AME as well as a thinner cecal mucosa layer were found for the 120 g/kg chicory forage diet (P ≤ 0.05). No diet effects on organ parameters or on pH of cecum digesta were detected. The soluble nonstarch polysaccharides fractions of chicory forage did not have any major negative effects on performance and gut development, and chicory forage from the September harvest was seen to have a higher nutritional value than that from the June harvest. Thus, results from the current study suggest that chicory forage is a potentially useful fiber-rich feed ingredient with high palatability for broiler chickens.

EFFECT OF MASH DIETARY FIBER ON PERFORMANCE AND CANNIBALISM IN LAYING HENS

An experiment was conducted to observe the effect of dietary fiber given in mash form onperformance and cannibalism mortality in laying hens. Three different diets: a wheat-based diet, a guargum diet (a wheat-based diet + 20 g/kg guar gum) and a lucerne meal diet (a wheat-based diet + 40 g/kglucerne meal) in mash form were offered for 12 weeks. The results showed that birds fed guar gum diethad the lowest intake (p&lt;0.01), egg weight (p&lt;0.05), body weight (p&lt;0.05) and the lowest eggproduction (p&lt;0.01) compared to those fed other diets. Diets did not have a significant effect (p&gt;0.05)on feed to egg ratio and cannibalism mortality, but numerically the birds fed the guar gum diet had thehighest mortality (11.3%) and the lucerne diet had the lowest (6.9%). The lack of profound differenceswas probably due to the diets were given in mash form. In conclusion, diets containing high soluble NSPreduced the performance and increased the mortality due to cannibalism in laying hens. The use of mashform may have a potential in reducing the negative effect of soluble NSP on cannibalism.

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.

The Physiological Effect of &lt;i&gt;Detarium&lt;/i&gt; Bread Meal on the Postprandial Profile of Noninsulin Dependent Diabetic Mellitus (NIDDM) Subjects

Objective: This study elicited the effect of Detarium bread meal on the post prandial plasma glucose and insulin levels of non insulin dependent diabetic mellitus (NIDDM) subjects. Subject and Method: This is a clinical study that involved twelve African and Afro-Caribbean men with NIDDM. These men were screened and recruited from the Diabetic Day Centre, St. Thomas' Hospital London. They were fed two meals randomly, an experimental bread meal containing Detarium flour and a control bread roll made from wheat flour only. The experimental bread rolls provided 5g of soluble nonstarch polysaccharide (s-NSP). Post-prandial blood glucose and insulin levels were taken at 30minutes interval for 2½ hours. Incremental levels were calculated relative to the fasting values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data and the level of significance was accepted at p

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.