Starchy Grains Research Articles

Grain Serving of Postmodern Dairy Cattle: Benefits of Processing Over-Estimated

This policy article draws global attention towards the very high significance of feeding right amount of starchy grains to high-merit dairy cattle independent from processing type and extent. The article also warns the global dairy industry against too much concern on costly processing extent and rate of cereal grains before optimizing their dietary inclusion rate. The time has already gone for the postmodern industry to be cognizant of the pragmatic philosophy of grain feeding to dairy cattle, as mismanagement continues to yield devastating irretrievable consequences.

Mismanaged Starch Serving: An Artless Cause of Intricate Preventable Problems in Modern Dairying

Starch overfeeding is a simple mismanagement in modern dairy farming that causes complex problems in animal health and farm economics. The temporary increases in milk production makes overmodernized farmers mostly blind to oversee jeopardized prospects of longevity and long-run efficiency and profitability. In addition, overfocus on grain processing technologies keeps farmers from paying adequate deserving attention to optimizing dietary inclusion rate of starchy grains. This article establishes a global policy to help dairy farmers improve farm economics and minimize health issues in the postmodern era.

Botched Starch Serving: Avoidable Problems in Modern Dairying

Starch overfeeding is a simple mismanagement in modern dairy farming that causes complex problems in animal health and farm economics. The temporary increases in milk production makes over-modernized farmers mostly blind to oversee jeopardized prospects of longevity and long-run efficiency and profitability. In addition, over-focus on grain processing technologies keeps farmers from paying adequate deserving attention to optimizing dietary inclusion rate of starchy grains. This article establishes a global policy to help dairy farmers improve farm economics and minimize health issues in the postmodern era.

Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production

Abstract: Ethanol production from starchy cereal grains is increasing rapidly due to increasing demand for alternative fuels. In Canada, wheat is the primary feedstock in ethanol plants. To improve the productivity of the ethanol plants in terms of product quality and yield, debranning of wheat grains may be employed. Debranning is advantageous in two ways. Firstly, bran removal increases the starch content of the feedstock, improving the fermentation efficiency of the ethanol plants. Secondly, bran, a valuable co-product can be used as an animal feed ingredient. In this study, experiments to optimize the debranning process were carried out using two kinds of abrasive equipment, the Satake and the TADD (tangential abrasive dehulling device) mills. Wheat samples (30 and 200 g) were debranned in the Satake mill at 1 215, 1 412, and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, 30, 36, and 40 grit sizes, and 30, 60, and 90 s retention times, and in the TADD mill at 900 r/min rotational speed, 30, 36, 50, and 80 grit sizes, and 120, 180, 240, and 300 s retention times. In addition to debranning efficiency, the starch separation efficiencies of the two mills were calculated in different debranning conditions. In the Satake mill, the 30 g and 200 g sample size, 1 412 r/min and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, all grit sizes, and 60 s of retention time demonstrated the highest debranning efficiency. Correspondingly, optimal results in the TADD mill were obtained with 200 g sample size, 900 r/min rotational speed, 50 and 80 grit sizes, and 180 s and 240 s retention times. However, based on the experimental results, Satake mill provided better debranning values compared to the TADD mill. The starch separation efficiency values supported these results. Keywords: wheat debranning, ethanol production, Satake mill, tangential abrasive dehulling device, grit size, retention time, rotational speed, starch separation efficiency DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20140706.008 Citation: George E, Rentsen B, Tabil L G, Meda V. Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(6): 54－66.

Drum drying performance of condensed distillers solubles and comparison to that of physically modified condensed distillers solubles

Condensed distillers solubles (CDS) is a viscous, syrupy co-product of ethanol production from corn or other starchy grains; CDS exhibits strong recalcitrance to drying due to its chemical composition, which includes a substantial amount of glycerol. The objectives of this study were to determine the drum drying performance of CDS and to compare it to that of a physically modified CDS (MCDS) having a reduced glycerol level. Material type (CDS vs. MCDS), dwell time, drum internal steam temperature, and gap width were evaluated for their effects on the final moisture content, water activity, and color of the dried product. While both CDS and MCDS could be dried to a range of endpoint moisture contents, dried CDS exhibited a narrow range of water activity compared to that of MCDS. Gap width was found to be the predominant factor affecting dried product color. This work demonstrates that drum drying can effectively reduce the moisture content of CDS, even though the water activity of the dried product cannot be reduced beyond ∼0.45. In contrast, MCDS can be readily drum-dried into a shelf-stable, flaked product with a pleasing appearance.

Puffing Characteristics of Parboiled Milled Rice in a Domestic Convective–Microwave Oven and Process Optimization

Microwavable products are gaining worldwide acceptance as convenience foods, where hygiene can be maintained when processed in small quantities at the domestic level. One such ready to eat products are puffed or popped starchy grains like corn, rice, sorghum, etc. Owing to its high starch content, rice has high expandability, and the puffed rice produce thence has better digestibility. Considering these aspects, an attempt was made to produce puffed rice in a domestic convective–microwave oven. Puffing characteristics were studied for Gurjari variety of rice at 14 % (wb) moisture content for different preheating temperatures of the glass base plate (180, 200, and 220 °C), microwave power level (300, 600, and 900 W), and residence time (10–100 s), from which the range of residence time was selected for the optimization study. It was found that the puffing of rice was better at higher power level and preheating temperature of the base plate, and puffing started only after certain residence time. Further study was carried out to optimize the process parameters by using response surface methodology, for a Box–Behnken design at three levels for four parameters, i.e., moisture content (12, 14, and 16 % wb), preheating temperature of the base plate (180, 200, and 220 °C), microwave power level (300, 600, and 900 W), and residence time (50, 60, and 70 s). The optimized conditions were found to be 14 % (wb), 220 °C, 900 W, and 60 s. The second-order polynomial model was validated by conducting three trials at the optimized point and found to be agreeing with the predicted values.

Evolution: Switch to starch

In 6 million years, our diet gradually changed from fruit and leaves to starchy grains. Genes involved in digestion offer a timeline to those dietary changes

Enzymatic digestibility and ethanol fermentability of AFEX-treated starch-rich lignocellulosics such as corn silage and whole corn plant

BackgroundCorn grain is an important renewable source for bioethanol production in the USA. Corn ethanol is currently produced by steam liquefaction of starch-rich grains followed by enzymatic saccharification and fermentation. Corn stover (the non-grain parts of the plant) is a potential feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol in second-generation biorefineries. At present, corn grain is harvested by removing the grain from the living plant while leaving the stover behind on the field. Alternatively, whole corn plants can be harvested to cohydrolyze both starch and cellulose after a suitable thermochemical pretreatment to produce fermentable monomeric sugars. In this study, we used physiologically immature corn silage (CS) and matured whole corn plants (WCP) as feedstocks to produce ethanol using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis (at low enzyme loadings) and cofermentation (for both glucose and xylose) using a cellulase-amylase-based cocktail and a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae 424A (LNH-ST) strain, respectively. The effect on hydrolysis yields of AFEX pretreatment conditions and a starch/cellulose-degrading enzyme addition sequence for both substrates was also studied.ResultsAFEX-pretreated starch-rich substrates (for example, corn grain, soluble starch) had a 1.5-3-fold higher enzymatic hydrolysis yield compared with the untreated substrates. Sequential addition of cellulases after hydrolysis of starch within WCP resulted in 15-20% higher hydrolysis yield compared with simultaneous addition of hydrolytic enzymes. AFEX-pretreated CS gave 70% glucan conversion after 72 h of hydrolysis for 6% glucan loading (at 8 mg total enzyme loading per gram glucan). Microbial inoculation of CS before ensilation yielded a 10-15% lower glucose hydrolysis yield for the pretreated substrate, due to loss in starch content. Ethanol fermentation of AFEX-treated (at 6% w/w glucan loading) CS hydrolyzate (resulting in 28 g/L ethanol at 93% metabolic yield) and WCP (resulting in 30 g/L ethanol at 89% metabolic yield) is reported in this work.ConclusionsThe current results indicate the feasibility of co-utilization of whole plants (that is, starchy grains plus cellulosic residues) using an ammonia-based (AFEX) pretreatment to increase bioethanol yield and reduce overall production cost.

A comparison of the prediction of apparent metabolisable energy content of starchy grains and cereal by-products for poultry from its chemical components, in vitro analysis or near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Regression models including chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) were compared in order to predict the energy value of several feed ingredients for poultry. The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy content (AMEn) in cockerels and its proportion on total gross energy (AMEn/GE) were determined in 94 batches from six starchy grains and six cereal byproducts. Two preliminary trials were also designed to adapt in vitro methods for prediction of in vivo energy values for poultry. Mean concentrations of AMEn of the ingredient studied ranged from 2,464 to 3,595 kcal/kg DM, and those of AMEn/GE from 53.7 to 80.0%. The most precise model of prediction of AMEn and AMEn/GE values was that based on NIRS equations (R2cv = 0.823 and 0.861, respectively). The best single chemical predictor of these energy values was the neutral detergent fibre concentration (R2 = 0.616 and 0.736, respectively). Further inclusion of ether extract and ash contents in the AMEn model and those of starch and ether extract in the AMEn/GE model allowed increasing coefficients of determination up to 0.791 and 0.839, respectively. A model including linear and quadratic effects of in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMd) provided a similar prediction of AMEn/GE values (R2 = 0.833). However the prediction of AMEn from IVOMd was worse (R2 = 0.62), as variations among batches of GE concentration (from 4,225 to 5,896 kcal/kg DM) were little related to in vitro digestibility values.

Effects of inclusion of neutral detergent soluble fibre sources in diets varying in forage particle size on feed intake, digestive processes, and performance of mid-lactation Holstein cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of partial replacement of neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) for starch in diets varying in particle size (PS) of alfalfa hay on chewing activities, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and performance in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (146 ± 6.0 d in milk; 36.7 ± 2.57 kg milk/d) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21 d periods with the last 7 d for data collection. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of NDSF (low = 85 g/kg or high = 130 g/kg diet dry matter) each combined with 2 PS (short = 20 mm or long = 40 mm) of alfalfa hay. Results show that forage PS alone, or in combination with NDSF inclusion, had no effect on dry matter (DM) intake. Although total chewing, eating and ruminating times were not affected by treatments, eating time per kg of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ingested was higher in long versus short alfalfa hay-based diets ( P<0.05). Feeding long forage PS increased sorting of the diet against particles >19 mm, and in favor of those <8 mm ( P<0.05). Feeding diets high in NDSF lowered DM intake ( P<0.05), but increased apparent digestibility of all nutrients including NDF ( P<0.05) independent of forage PS. Ruminal pH and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids were unaffected by dietary treatments, however the proportion of butyrate was higher in ruminal fluid of cows fed high NDSF diets ( P<0.05). Changes in milk composition included lower milk crude protein content in high NDSF diets and higher lactose content for short hay-based diets ( P<0.05). That milk yield and milk energy output were similar in low versus high NDSF diets suggests that high NDSF-fed cows had higher energy efficiency due to lower DM intake. Results suggest that, independent of forage PS, NDSF sources can be successfully included to partly replace starchy grains in diets exceeding minimum fibre recommendations.

Feeding soyhulls to high-yielding dairy cows increased milk production, but not milking frequency, in an automatic milking system

To attract a cow into an automatic milking system (AMS), a certain amount of concentrate pellets is provided while the cow is being milked. If the milking frequency in an AMS is increased, the intake of concentrate pellets might increase accordingly. Replacing conventional starchy pellets with nonstarchy pellets increased milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein and decreased body weight. The hypothesis was that a nonroughage by-product rich in digestible neutral detergent fiber, such as soyhulls and gluten feed, could replace starchy grain in pellets fed in an AMS. Sixty cows were paired by age, milk yield, and days in milk, and were fed a basic mixture ad libitum [16.2±0.35 (mean±SE) kg of dry matter intake/d per cow] plus a pelleted additive (6 to 14kg of dry matter/d per cow) that was consumed in the AMS and in a concentrate self-feeder, which could only be entered after passing through the AMS. The 2 feeding regimens differed only in the composition of the pelleted additives: the control group contained 52.9% starchy grain, whereas the experimental group contained 25% starchy grain, plus soyhulls and gluten feed as replacement for part of the grain. Wheat bran in the control ration, a source of fiber with low digestibility, was replaced with more digestible soyhulls and gluten. During the first 60 d in milk, a cow received 10 to 12kg of concentrate pellets. After 60 DIM, concentrate feed was allocated by milk production: ≤25kg/d of milk entitled a cow to 2kg/d of concentrate feed; >25kg/d of milk entitled a cow to receive 1kg/d of additional concentrate feed per 5kg/d of additional milk production, and >60kg/d of milk entitled a cow to receive 9kg of concentrate. The concentrate feed was split between the AMS and concentrate self-feeder. The 2 diets resulted in similar frequencies of voluntary milking (3.12±0.03 to 2.65±0.03 visits/d per cow vs. 3.16±0.00 to 2.60±0.01 visits/d per cow). Average milk yields were higher in the experimental group (42.7±0.76 to 39.09±0.33kg/d per cow vs. 39.69±0.68 to 37.54±0.40kg/d per cow) and percentages of milk protein (3.02±0.06 to 3.12±0.05% vs. 3.07±0.04 to 3.20±0.04%) and milk fat (3.42±0.17 to 3.44±0.08% vs. 3.38±0.13 to 3.55±0.06%) were similar in the 2 groups. The results suggest that the proposed pellets high in digestible neutral detergent fiber can be allocated via the AMS to selected high-yielding cows without a negative effect on appetite, milk yield, or milk composition while maintaining a high milking frequency.

Feeding of Pellets Rich in Digestible Neutral Detergent Fiber to Lactating Cows in an Automatic Milking System

If the milking frequency in an automatic milking system (AMS) is increased, the intake of concentrated pellets in the robot may be raised accordingly. Consumption of a large quantity of starchy grains within a short time can impair the appetite, decrease voluntary visits to the milking stall, and lower intakes of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Therefore, the hypothesis to be tested in this study was whether conventional starchy pellets fed in the AMS could be replaced with pellets rich in digestible NDF without impairing the cows’ motivation to visit a milking stall voluntarily. Fifty-four cows were paired according to age, milk yield, and days in milk, and were fed a basic mixture along the feeding lane (19.9kg of DM/cow per d), plus a pelleted additive (approximately 5.4kg of DM/cow per d) that they obtained in the milking stall and in the concentrate self-feeder that they could enter only after passing through the milking stall. The 2 feeding regimens differed only in the composition of the pelleted additive, which, for the control group, contained 49% starchy grain, and for the experimental group contained 25% starchy grain plus soy hulls and gluten feed as replacement for part of the grain and other low-digestible, NDF-rich feeds. Both diets resulted in similar rates of voluntary milkings (3.31 vs. 3.39 visits/cow per d). Average yields of milk and percentages of milk protein were also similar in the 2 groups. The results suggest that an alternative pellet composition can be allocated in the AMS in conjunction with basic mixture in the feeding lane, without any negative effect on appetite, milk yield, milk composition, or milking frequency of the cows. It also opens the opportunity to increase yields of milk and milk solids by increasing the amount of pelleted concentrates that can be allocated to selected high-yielding cows via the AMS, because this can be done while maintaining a high frequency of voluntary milkings.

Milking performance of dairy ewes fed pellets containing soy hulls as starchy grain substitute

Effect of feeding pellets containing soy hulls (SH) as starchy grain substitute on milking performance was measured in Assaf lactating ewes. Eighty ewes were divided into two equal groups of forty animals each, and fed for eight weeks, one of the two experimental diets. Both diets contained 25% vetch hay and 10% wheat silage served at the feeding lane plus additive of 65% pellets served part on top of roughage in the feeding lane and part during milking. Diets differed only in the composition of the pelleted additive, being either high starch pellets in the control treatment or pellets containing 51% SH as starch replacer in the experimental group. In vitro organic matter digestibility of the two types of pellets was similar, whereas NDF digestibility and NDF content were higher in the SH pellets. The ewes fed the SH pellets demonstrated higher daily DM and NDF intake (2.71 and 1.19 kg/d, respectively) as compared with the control group (2.44 and 0.71 kg, respectively). This was reflected by significantly higher milk yield (2.41 kg/d versus 2.10 kg/d), milk fat content (6.05% versus 5.16%), and milk fat yield (0.15 kg/d versus 0.11 kg/d) in the experimental group as compared with the control ewes. Milk protein yields were similar in both treatments. Data suggest potential advantage of feeding the SH pellets for high producing lactating ewes.

The effect of sunn pest (Eurigaster integriceps) damage on durum wheat: impact in the marketplace

This study looked at the factors, affecting the price estimation of durum wheat in the commodity market in Sanliurfa, Turkey. The study was carried out in June and July of 2003 using a randomized complete block design with 3 factors (traders, varieties and purchase time) and 4 replications.The variance analysis results indicated that all factors (traders, varieties and weekly market prices) and interactions were found to be significant statistically. Some visual characteristics of grain lots subjected to study were scored in laboratory and the relationship between market pricing and those characteristics were further investigated through correlation/path and regression analysis. These results showed the presence of statistically significant positive correlations between marketing price and vitreousness (r=0.313*). Although, it was negative for starchy grain (r=-0.472**), sunn pest damaged kernels (r=-0.608**) and other cereals (r=-0.487** to −0.456**).It was concluded that amber grain and semolina colour and kernel vitreousness increased market prices whereas increasing yellow berry, starchy grain, sunn pest damaged kernel and other contaminants (barley grains and red kernels of bread wheat) affected it negatively. Some regression equations, obtained from this study might be used for price estimation in such commodity markets and as practical guidance for plant breeding programmes.

Identification of maize in absorbed organic residues: a cautionary tale

Starchy grains are an essential part of human diet in most agricultural groups, and are attributed an important role in the development of complex societies. Maize is a starchy grain domesticated in Mesoamerica that was an important foodstuff throughout the Americas before Contact, and around the world afterwards. An experimental study of the degradation of maize lipids suggests that the unsaturated fatty acids comprising the majority of maize lipids degrade rapidly, producing a virtually unidentifiable organic residue after 3 months deposition. Compounds in maize lipids decompose variably, depending upon depositional environment, making calibration of organic residue degradation impracticable. Variable decomposition of components of absorbed organic residues makes a wider range of improved experimental studies important, and suggests that identifying maize, and by implication starchy grains, from chemical analysis of absorbed organic residues requires a wider range of approaches than those previously attempted.

Evaluation of Vitreous and Starchy Syrian Durum (Triticum Durum) Wheat Grains: The Effect of Amylose Content on Starch Characteristics and Flour Pasting Properties

AbstractThe physiochemical composition of durum wheat cultivars was studied in order to investigate the influence of vitreousness on the chemical composition of starch and its thermal and pasting properties. Six durum wheat lines were chosen and grown in northern Syria. Grains of each cultivar were visually sorted according to the degree of vitreousness into fully vitreous and fully starchy fractions. Amylose/amylopectin ratio and total starch was determined using Megazyme methods, while thermal and pasting properties were determined using DSC and RVA. Starchy kernels were higher in total starch than vitreous kernels but showed a decreased amylose content. Negative linear relations were found between amylose content, and both peak viscosity and breakdown. Trends in variation of gelatinisation characteristics were observed between vitreous and starchy kernels from the same cultivar, with higher total enthalpy being associated with starchy grains compared with vitreous grains of the same line.

Determination of folate concentrations in pulses by a microbiological method employing trienzyme extraction.

Over the past two decades, the role of folate in human nutrition has been of much interest because of its relationship to diseases such as neural tube defects and heart disease. Since 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has mandated that cereal products be fortified with 140 microg of folic acid/100 g. It is important, therefore, to be able to determine accurately the folate concentrations in cereals and other grains to ensure proper dietary intake of folate. In this study, a microbiological method employing a trienzyme extraction procedure was applied to the analysis of folate in several starchy grain legumes (pulses). Differences in the folate content of dry bean were observed among some market classes but not between cultivars in the same market class. Location had a significant effect on the folate content of lentil and dry pea; cultivar did not. The significant effect of market class, cultivar, and growth environment on the levels of folate in pulses is of particular importance to pulse processors and pulse breeders.

Ethanol is a strategic raw material

The first part of this review article considers general data about ethanol as an industrial product, its qualities and uses. It is emphasized that, if produced from biomass as a renewable raw material, its perspectives as a chemical raw material and energent are brilliant. Starchy grains, such as corn, must be used as the main raw materials for ethanol production. The production of bioethanol by the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of starch followed by (yeast) fermentation, distillation is the process of choice. If used as a motor fuel, anhydrous ethanol can be directly blended with gasoline or converted into an oxygenator such as ETBE. Finally, bioethanol production in Yugoslavia and the possibilities for its further development are discussed.

Use of an autosampler for dynamic headspace extraction of volatile compounds from grains and effect of added water on the extraction.

An autosampler attached to a purge and trap instrument was used to aid routine analyses of grain samples for volatile compounds associated with off-odors. Trapped volatiles were transferred to a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer instrument for separation and detection. Dynamic extraction of volatiles from approximately 18 g of whole grain at 80 degrees C was accomplished by purging helium through a sample vial with a Teflon-lined septum on each end. The autosampler automatically added internal standard to the sample before purging began, which required the addition of 1 mL of water for complete transfer of the standard to the sample. The added water enhanced extraction of 1-octen-3-ol, 1-octen-3-one, and some other compounds from soybeans but not from starchy grains such as corn and wheat. Addition of a free radical scavenger, such as citric acid, greatly diminished the recovery of 1-octen-3-ol and 1-octen-3-one from soybeans.

An Experimental and Comparative Study of Dietary Modulation of Intestinal Enzymes in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are omnivorous passerine birds that include significant amounts of starchy grains (e.g., oats and barley) in their diet when insects and fruit are not available. We predicted that starlings would have high levels of intestinal maltase activity (the main enzyme involved in the last step of the digestion of complex carbohydrates) and the ability to up-regulate intestinal hydrolases (maltase, isomaltase, and aminopeptidase-N) in response to changes in nutrient intake. Captive starlings were fed three diets: a diet containing 52.5% cornstarch, a carbohydrate-free diet, and an insect diet. Diet had a significant effect on intestinal morphology: birds fed the carbohydrate-free diet had significantly longer intestines and larger intestinal areas than those fed either of the two other diets. Diet had a significant effect on aminopeptidase-N and isomaltase activity. Both aminopeptidase-N and isomaltase increased with protein and carbohydrate intake, respectively, but the magni...