Wheat Meal Research Articles

A Critical Assessment of the Quantification of Wheat Grain Arabinoxylans Using a Phloroglucinol Colorimetric Assay

Arabinoxylans (AX) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) play a critical role in processing, end‐use quality, and human health and nutrition. Consequently, an efficient, accurate method of AX quantification is desirable. The objective of this work was to evaluate a standard phloroglucinol colorimetric method for quantification of wheat AX. The method is based on the formation and spectrophotometric quantification of a phloroglucide product that results from the reaction of furfural produced during the condensation of pentose sugars with phloroglucinol. Method parameters, including reaction reagents and reaction times, were varied to identify areas for improved accuracy and consistency. Phloroglucide formation at three xylose concentrations was examined over time. The optimal reaction reagents and reaction times were determined based upon improved consistency in xylose quantification. The optimized method was used on xylose and arabinose standards and on whole meal wheat samples for total and water‐extractable AX content. Glucose was shown to be unnecessary in the reaction and was eliminated. A second‐order polynomial equation provided a slightly better fit to the nearly linear standard xylose curve. A reduced concentration of phloroglucinol of 10% was found to give equivalent results to the standard 20%. Optimum reaction time was 25 min, and it required the inclusion of all reagents. The phloroglucide product decreased in absorbance over time such that, within the range of xylose concentration examined, about 40–50% of the colored product was lost over 100 min; however, the rate of loss was linear over time. Four operators performed the optimized method on whole wheat meal samples for total and water‐extractable AX. Inter‐ and intraoperator variation was identified as an area requiring further study and improvement. However, all operators tended to rank the samples in a consistent manner. Compared with a gas chromatography–flame ionization detection method, the phloroglucinol method underestimated total AX by about 2.3% and water‐extractable AX by about 0.08%.

The Mechanical Parameters of Rapeseed Cake

The objective of the reported project was to investigate the mechanical properties of rapeseed cake and its mixture with wheat meal obtained under various conditions of extrusion. The density, the angle of internal friction, the effective angle of internal friction, the cohesion, the flow function, and the modulus of elasticity were determined.

Effect of wheat distillers' grains with solubles and a feed flavour on performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs fed wheat and canola meal based diets

Forty-eight crossbred pigs were assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 6 × 2 (treatment × sex) factorial arrangement. Diets were based on wheat and canola meal and were formulated to contain 0%, 4.9%, 9.7%, 14.6% or 19.4% wheat distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during the growing period and 0%, 4.0%, 8.1%, 12.1% and 16.1% wheat DDGS during the finishing period. The addition of wheat DDGS was made at the expense of both wheat and canola meal. A feed flavour was added to the diet in which wheat DDGS supplied 100% of the supplementary protein. Over the entire experimental period (21.5–112.2 kg), increasing the level of wheat DDGS resulted in a linear decrease in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was linearly reduced by inclusion of wheat DDGS during the growing period (21.5–57.4 kg) but not the finishing period (57.4–112.2 kg). Increasing the level of wheat DDGS in the diet resulted in a linear decline in carcass value index and lean yield while loin fat linearly increased. The addition of a flavour to the diet in which DDGS supplied 100% of the supplementary protein had no effect on performance or carcass traits.

Santa Inês sheep supplementation on urochloa grass pasture during the dry season: intake, nutrient digestibility and performance

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of concentrate supplementation, formulated with different ingredients (Mesquite pod meal, sorghum meal or wheat meal and mineral supplementation) on performance, intake and digestibility of nutrients in Santa Inês lambs grazing on urochloa grass during the dry season. Twenty-four uncastrated weaned Santa Inês sheep, with average body weight (BW) 20±2 kg with an average of 120 days of age were used in the assay. The experiment lasted 75 days. The animals grazing deferred Urochloa grass (Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack) Daudy) were distributed into four treatments consisting of mineral supplementation provided ad libitum and concentrated supplements containing mesquite pod meal, sorghum meal or wheat meal, supplied 10 g /kg BW on dry matter basis. The intakes of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were affected by the intake of concentrate supplement, regardless of the ingredients used in the supplements, compared with the mineral supplementation treatment, since the consumption of forage was reduced in 30% with mesquite pod meal supplement, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was not affected in relation to treatments. The digestibility of DM and CP were higher for treatments with supplements, and NDF digestibility did not differ between treatments. A significant difference was observed in the values of average daily gain for the treatments with concentrate supplementation compared with the one of mineral supplementation. The supplementation with concentrate in grazing enables improvement of performance, intake and digestibility of nutrients regardless of the ingredient used in the supplement.

Respiratory and Nasal Symptoms, Immunological Changes, and Lung Function in Industrial Bakers

Background: Several studies reported that occupational exposure in bakery may cause respiratory impairment in exposed workers. Aim: To assess the respiratory effects and immunological changes of occupational exposure in industrial bakers. Material and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including 43 industrial bakers (20 males and 23 females, aged 34-55 years) and an equal number of office workers, matched by sex, age and smoking status. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of questionnaire, skin prick tests to common and work-related inhalant allergens, spirometry, and histamine challenge. Results: We found higher prevalence of nasal symptoms in the last 12 months in bakers with significant difference for runny nose (P = 0.033). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months was also higher in bakers and statistical significance was obtained for cough (P = 0.041) and phlegm (P = 0.023). We found similar prevalence of allergic sensitization to common inhalant allergens in both examined groups, while sensitization to wheat flour and meal flour was registered only among bakers. Measured spirometric parameters were lower in bakers with significant difference for MEF50 and MEF75 (P = 0.004, and P = 0.000, respectively). Prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was non-significantly higher in bakers with significantly higher severity (P = 0.029). Conclusion: Our findings confirm that occupational exposure in industrial bakers may lead to adverse respiratory effects and immunological changes in exposed workers.

The effects of varying dietary protein level on growth, feed conversion, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficient of juvenile mangrove red snapper,Lutjanus argentimaculatus(Forsskal 1775)

The effects of several dietary protein levels on the growth, feed conversion, body composition and diet digestibility of juvenile Lutjanus argentimaculatus (body weight 12.3 g) were examined. Seven isolipidic (7.4%) diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (28–58%) with dietary energy ranging from 19.7 to 21.5 kJ g−1. Diets were distributed to triplicate groups of fish thrice a day at ration of 2% body weight for 90 days. Growth, feed conversion, protein utilization and digestibility of nutrients increased with increasing dietary protein level up to 43%, after which no significant improvement was observed. Digestibility of dry matter and energy showed a concomitant increase with the reduction in dietary wheat meal, attaining maximal values with high protein diets. No significant differences were detected in moisture, protein, lipid and ash content of whole fish or body organs as dietary protein increased. The mesenteric fat, hepato- and viscerosomatic indices decreased with increasing protein level. The cholesterol, triglycerides and haematocrit values were similar among treatments, except that high levels of plasma lipids were recorded above 43% protein diet. The use of a practical diet containing 43% protein is appropriate for the growth of L. argentimaculatus juveniles under the experimental conditions of the present study.

Separate hydrolysis and co-fermentation for improved xylose utilization in integrated ethanol production from wheat meal and wheat straw

BackgroundThe commercialization of second-generation bioethanol has not been realized due to several factors, including poor biomass utilization and high production cost. It is generally accepted that the most important parameters in reducing the production cost are the ethanol yield and the ethanol concentration in the fermentation broth. Agricultural residues contain large amounts of hemicellulose, and the utilization of xylose is thus a plausible way to improve the concentration and yield of ethanol during fermentation. Most naturally occurring ethanol-fermenting microorganisms do not utilize xylose, but a genetically modified yeast strain, TMB3400, has the ability to co-ferment glucose and xylose. However, the xylose uptake rate is only enhanced when the glucose concentration is low.ResultsSeparate hydrolysis and co-fermentation of steam-pretreated wheat straw (SPWS) combined with wheat-starch hydrolysate feed was performed in two separate processes. The average yield of ethanol and the xylose consumption reached 86% and 69%, respectively, when the hydrolysate of the enzymatically hydrolyzed (18.5% WIS) unwashed SPWS solid fraction and wheat-starch hydrolysate were fed to the fermentor after 1 h of fermentation of the SPWS liquid fraction. In the other configuration, fermentation of the SPWS hydrolysate (7.0% WIS), resulted in an average ethanol yield of 93% from fermentation based on glucose and xylose and complete xylose consumption when wheat-starch hydrolysate was included in the feed. Increased initial cell density in the fermentation (from 5 to 20 g/L) did not increase the ethanol yield, but improved and accelerated xylose consumption in both cases.ConclusionsHigher ethanol yield has been achieved in co-fermentation of xylose and glucose in SPWS hydrolysate when wheat-starch hydrolysate was used as feed, then in co-fermentation of the liquid fraction of SPWS fed with the mixed hydrolysates. Integration of first-generation and second-generation processes also increases the ethanol concentration, resulting in a reduction in the cost of the distillation step, thus improving the process economics.

Leucine content of dietary proteins is a determinant of postprandial skeletal muscle protein synthesis in adult rats

BackgroundLeucine (Leu) regulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS) producing dose-dependent plasma Leu and MPS responses from free amino acid solutions. This study examined the role of Leu content from dietary proteins in regulation of MPS after complete meals.MethodsExperiment 1 examined 4 protein sources (wheat, soy, egg, and whey) with different Leu concentrations (6.8, 8.0, 8.8, and 10.9% (w/w), respectively) on the potential to increase plasma Leu, activate translation factors, and stimulate MPS. Male rats (~250 g) were trained for 14 day to eat 3 meals/day consisting of 16/54/30% of energy from protein, carbohydrates and fats. Rats were killed on d14 either before or 90 min after consuming a 4 g breakfast meal. Experiment 2 compared feeding wheat, whey, and wheat + Leu to determine if supplementing the Leu content of the wheat meal would yield similar anabolic responses as whey.ResultsIn Experiment 1, only whey and egg groups increased post-prandial plasma Leu and stimulated MPS above food-deprived controls. Likewise, greater phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and 4E binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) occurred in whey and egg groups versus wheat and soy groups. Experiment 2 demonstrated that supplementing wheat with Leu to equalize the Leu content of the meal also equalized the rates of MPS.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that Leu content is a critical factor for evaluating the quantity and quality of proteins necessary at a meal for stimulation of MPS.

Influences of incorporating detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) diet on the expression of growth hormone‐ and insulin‐like growth factor‐1‐encoding genes

Jatropha curcas is a drought-resistant shrub or small tree widespread all over the tropics and subtropics. The use of J.curcas (L) kernel meal in fish feed is limited owing to the presence of toxic and antinutritional constituents. In this study, it was detoxified using heat treatment and organic solvent extraction method. The detoxification process was carried out for 60 min to obtain the detoxified meal. Cyprinus carpio L. fingerlings (n = 180; avg. wt. 3.2 ± 0.07 g) were randomly distributed in five treatment groups with four replicates and fed isonitrogenous diets (crude protein 38%) for 8 weeks. The inclusion levels of the detoxified Jatropha kernel meal (DJKM) and soybean meal (SBM) were as follows: control diet was prepared with fish meal (FM) and wheat meal, without any DJKM and SBM; diets S(50) and J(50) : 50% of FM protein replaced by SBM and DJKM respectively; diets S(75) and J(75) : 75% of FM protein replaced by SBM and DJKM respectively. Highest body mass gain and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene expression in brain, liver and muscle were observed for the control group, which were statistically similar to those for J(50) group and significantly (p < 0.05) higher than for all other groups, whereas growth hormone gene expression in brain, liver and muscle exhibited opposite trend. Insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in plasma did not differ significantly among the five groups. Conclusively, growth performance was in parallel with IGF-1 gene expression and exhibited negative trend with GH gene expression.

DIGESTIBILIDADE DO AMIDO E DISPONIBILIDADE DE Ca e P EM ALIMENTOS ENERGÉTICOS EXTRUSADOS PARA A TILÁPIA DO NILO (Oreochromis niloticus)

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of starch and calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) apparent availability were evaluated in five cereal grain products and by-products (corn, wheat meal, rice grain, rice bran and sorghum) for Nile tilapia. Chromic oxide was used as an external digestibility marker. The highest Ca and P apparent availability, respectively, were obtained for rice grain (43.03 and 64.79%), sorghum (39.89 and 58.09%) and corn (22.18 and 19.48%), while rice bran (-31.49 and 3.25%) and wheat meal (5.80 and 1.18%) showed the lowest values. Starch digestibility varied between 99.45 and 95.59% among the evaluated ingredients. This high ADC of starch observed in this study confirms that Nile tilapia is able to efficiently digest and utilize complex carbohydrates.KEYWORDS: ADC; carbohydrates; extrusion; mineral; tilapia.

Flaxseed and Breast Cancer: What Should We Tell Our Patients?

In the United States alone, there are approximately 2.6 million survivors of breast cancer. This population is highly motivated to initiate lifestyle changes in diet and exercise to improve their prognosis. Dietary lignans have been identified as potentially protective against breast cancer via estrogen-dependent and independent anticarcinogenic activity. Lignans are bioactive, non-nutrient, noncaloric phenolic plant compounds that are found in large amounts in flaxseeds and sesame seeds and in small amounts in whole grains, legumes, and certain fruits and vegetables (Table 1). For example, one half cup of whole wheat meal is estimated to provide approximately 325 g lignans, whereas one half cup of flaxseed provides approximately 275,000 g lignans. In humans, lignans are metabolized by the gut microflora into enterolignans; enterolactone is the main metabolite. Therefore, enterolactone concentrations in serum, plasma, and urine have been used as biomarkers of dietary lignans. The article by Buck et al that accompanies this editorial investigates the association of enterolactone with breast cancer outcomes. Specifically, the authors found that among 1,140 patients with breast cancer who were postmenopausal, serum enterolactone concentrations in the highest quartile were associated with an approximate 40% reduced risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.99) and distant disease (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.09). Although this is the first such study in survivors of breast cancer, these findings are supported by a recent meta-analysis that indicates that enterolactone biomarkers are associated with a statistically significant 28% reduced risk of incident breast cancer. The use of serum enterolactone as an exposure measure offers many advantages in comparison with assessment of dietary intake. Use of a biomarker eliminates the considerable error and bias in dietary self-reporting. In addition, this biomarker bypasses numerous problems that are associated with establishing the lignan content of foods, which can vary substantially within a food according to variety, crop season, location, and processing methods. Finally, the reliability coefficient for serum enterolactone is 0.55, which suggests that this measure provides a reasonably robust estimate of usual exposure. Given this objective evidence that a biomarker of lignan intake improves breast cancer outcomes, should we declare success and recommend that our patients with breast cancer supplement their diet with flaxseed? When considering the study by Buck et al, it is instructive (and sobering) to recall the demise of the carotenoid hypothesis regarding -carotene and chemoprevention of lung cancers. In the 1980s, there was considerable epidemiologic evidence that higher dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and blood levels of -carotene (a marker of fruit and vegetable intake) were associated with a lower risk of epithelial cancers. These epidemiologic studies were bolstered by laboratory research that identified several plausible biologic mechanisms by which -carotene could act to reduce tumor incidence. In response, two large trials were launched to test the effect of -carotene supplements on lung cancer incidence in high-risk populations (eg, smokers). Unexpectedly, both trials found that -carotene supplementation increased the incidence of lung cancers as well as cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. A subsequent review of randomized trials of antioxidant supplements, including 25 trials of -carotene, concluded that use of this supplement increased overall mortality by 7% (relative risk, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.11). These findings reversed the trend toward widespread use of -carotene supplements and fortification of common foods with this compound and likely resulted in many lives saved. A striking observation in both of these trials was that higher baseline serum -carotene concentrations were strongly associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, although supplementation with -carotene in this same population increased the risk of lung cancer. A number of interpretations of these apparently paradoxical findings have been put forward. For example, it is possible that the physiological effects of relatively low blood concentrations of compounds (such as -carotene or enterolactone) obtained from a mixed diet do not predict the effect of high-dose supplementation, particularly in an Table 1. Major Food Sources of Lignans

Effects of the addition of a meal deriving from toasted durum wheat kernels on dough properties and spaghetti cooking behaviorEfectos de la adición de una harina derivada de granos tostados de trigo duro en las propiedades de masa y comportamiento para el cocido de espaguetis

The aim was to study the effects of toasting of durum wheat kernels on the properties of dough and spaghetti produced with semolina and increasing amounts of the meal deriving from toasted kernels. The replacement of semolina with the toasted meal caused a decrease in the dough strength and an increase of its tenacity already at a substitution level of 100 g kg−1. Pasta made with 100% semolina or with a mixture of semolina and 200 g kg−1 of toasted durum wheat meal appeared as the best, being the less compressible and showing the highest values of cohesiveness. Water sorption curves were successfully described through the Peleg's equation. The application of response surface regression followed by stepwise regression allowed to write one equation for each of the textural properties measured. Gluten index was the best predictor of compressibility, cohesiveness, and gumminess whereas elasticity was better predicted on the basis of both gluten content and gluten index. Observed and predicted values were highly correlated with R 2 ranging from 0.707 (compressibility) to 0.867 (gumminess). El objetivo fue investigar los efectos de tostado de granos de trigo duro en las propiedades de masa y espaguetis producidos con semolina y cantidades cada vez mayores de la harina derivada de granos tostados. La sustitución de semolina por la harina tostada originó una disminución de la fuerza de la masa y un incremento de su tenacidad ya a un nivel de sustitución de 100 g kg−1. La pasta hecha con 100% semolina o con una mezcla de semolina y 200 g kg−1 de harina tostada de trigo duro (TDWM) se mostró como la mejor, siendo la menos compresible y mostrando los valores más altos de cohesión. Las curvas de absorción de agua se describieron exitosamente a través de la ecuación de Peleg. La aplicación de la regresión de superficie de respuesta seguida de regresión progresiva permitió escribir una ecuación para cada una de las propiedades texturales medidas. El índice de gluten fue el mejor predictor de compresibilidad, cohesión y gomosidad, mientras la elasticidad fue predicha mejor en base a ambos contenido de gluten e índice de gluten. Valores observados y predichos fueron altamente correlacionados con R2 entre 0,707 (compresibilidad) y 0,867 (gomosidad).

Bioavailability of two organic forms of zinc in comparison to zinc sulphate for weaning pigs fed a diet composed mainly of wheat, barley and soybean meal

This study was performed to compare the bioavailability of two organic zinc compounds, a zinc glycinate complex and a zinc amino acid chelate with that of zinc sulphate in growing pigs fed a basal diet composed mainly of wheat, barley and soybean meal. The experiment included 96 pigs with an average body weight of 8 kg, allotted to ten groups of nine to ten pigs each. The first group received the basal diet, containing 42 mg of native zinc per kg, without zinc supplementation over a period of five weeks. The other nine groups received the basal diet supplemented with 15, 30 or 50 mg of zinc/kg as zinc sulphate, zinc glycinate or the zinc amino acid chelate. Pigs fed the unsupplemented diet had a lower growth performance (body weight gain, feed conversion ratio) than the other nine groups. Supplementation of 15 mg zinc/kg diet (irrespective of zinc form) was sufficient to yield optimum growth performance. Plasma zinc concentration and activity of alkaline phosphatase were rising with increasing zinc supplementation levels up toa maximum reached at a supplementary level of 30 or 50 mg/kg diet for activity of alkaline phosphatase and plasma zinc concentration, respectively. The response of those parameters to zinc supplementation did, however, not differ between thethree zinc compounds considered. The apparent digestibility of zinc from the diet was also not different for the three zinc compounds. In conclusion, these findings show that the bioavailability of the two organic zinc compounds did not differ from that of zinc sulphate in growing pigs fed a diet with wheat, barley and soybean meal as major components.

Desempenho e características qualitativas da carcaça e da carne de cordeiros terminados em confinamento alimentados com dietas contendo soja grão ou gordura protegida

O objetivo foi avaliar o desempenho, as características das carcaças e a qualidade da carne de cordeiros Santa Inês, terminados em confinamento, alimentados com dietas contendo 60% de concentrado e enriquecidas com soja grão ou gordura protegida. Os concentrados foram compostos de farelo de soja, milho, farelo de trigo, ureia, núcleo mineral, soja grão ou gordura protegida. Como volumoso foi utilizado o feno de capim-tifton 85. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros com aproximadamente 19,30 ± 1,77 kg e média de idade de 5 meses alojados em baias individuais por um período de 105 dias (21 de adaptação e 84 dias de período experimental). Os animais foram pesados ao início do experimento e a intervalos de 28 dias, com a finalidade de acompanhar o ganho de peso dos animais. Findo o experimento, foram abatidos para mensurações nas carcaças e avaliação das características quantitativas. Após o resfriamento das carcaças por 24 horas, foram retiradas amostras do lombo para análises da qualidade da carne. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e oito repetições. Os animais que receberam a gordura protegida apresentaram maior ganho em peso (0,24 kg/dia). As dietas contendo soja grão ou gordura protegida proporcionaram melhor conversão alimentar (4,80 e 4,06 respectivamente). O enriquecimento da dieta com soja grão ou gordura protegida não promove diferenças significativas nas características de carcaça nem na qualidade da carne.

Selecting Wheat Seeds of Moderate Phytate Using Colorimetric Method

A simple and effective method of determining the phytate content of a single wheat seed was considered necessary for selecting the materials of moderate phytate during early generations breeding. 23 wheat genotypes (16 winter wheat cultivars and 7 spring wheat cultivars) were firstly used as determining samples of phytate content (PC) and inorganic phosphorus content (IPC) of the whole meal, secondarily they were planted in two locations for two times (2004 and 2005). The all single plants were harvested by a plot from those sites, then 6 individual plants were randomly selected to save their seeds for each plot, and the seeds of other plants were grinded into whole meal to assay their PC and IPC. Subsequently, every seed from per individual plant was cut into two semi-grain seeds: the semi-grain seed without embryo (SGSWOE) and the semi-grain seed with embryo (SGSWE); the SGSWOE was carried out to assay colorimetric scoring values by inorganic phosphorus content (CSVIPC), while according to the CSVIPC index, the satisfied SGSWEs were saved to plant at next generation or the dissatisfied SGSWEs were eliminated. The results showed that there was significantly negative correlation between PC and IPC of the wheat meal from either the first samples or the materials harvested at those sites, and for the latter there was significantly negative correlation between PC and CSVIPC. There was no significant difference of CSVIPC among the SGSWEOs and SGSWE of the spikes and individual plants from the same plot or the same genotype at any sites. In conclusion the CSVIPC of the SGSWOEs can indirectly express PC level of the wheat meal: the higher the former was, the lower the latter was. So the CSVIPC of SGSWOE can be applied to assaying the level of corresponding SGSWE according to their index, and screening the individual plant of moderation phytate. Moreover, this method is characterized by high efficiency during breeding processing.

The importance of wheat in teething celebration in Turkish culture

Food is utterly essential to human existence and has an important role to play in social and cultural events as well. The study of food and eating has a long history in social sciences, specifically in folklore and anthropology, beginning in the nineteenth century. This article concentrates on a particular food, wheat and examines its significance in the Turkish culture. Since wheat has both cultural and social aspects in the Turkish culture, the study mainly focuses on the ritual called diAŸ buAŸdayA± or diAŸ hediAŸi, thus, “teething ceremony”, an important biological development of a baby in the Turkish culture. It deals with how the wheat meal is prepared or presented; how the ritual is performed and celebrated; and what functions of the event in the Turkish culture are. Key words: Wheat, tooth, teething, ritual, Turkish tradition.

Effect of xylanase and glucanase supplementation to a cereal-based, threonine-limited diet on the nitrogen balance of growing pigs

In cereal-based diets, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) lower precaecal nutrient absorption and increase endogenous protein and amino acid (AA) losses. Adding exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes aims amongst others to reduce these negative effects and to thereby improve protein and AA supply. However, biased results exist in the literature on their efficacy in growing pigs. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyse the effects of different levels of xylanase and β-glucanase supplementation. Nitrogen (N) retention from a threonine-limited diet was chosen as an indirect indicator for differences in praecaecal threonine absorption and endogenous protein and AA losses. During three balance periods, 12 male pigs with a bodyweight of 31–66 kg were used in a cross-over design. They received three different diets based on wheat, barley, rye, and soybean meal containing 0, 40 or 80 mg/kg of an enzyme preparation containing endo-1,4,-β-xylanase and endo-1,4-β-glucanase. N excretion and retention were identical in animals of the different treatment groups, stressing that enzyme supplementation did not affect threonine absorption and/or endogenous protein and AA losses neither at medium nor at high supplementation level. Hence, in the present trial, β-glucanase and xylanase addition to cereal diets did not improve protein and AA availability in growing pigs of a body weight >30 kg.

Effects of dietary inclusion of peas, chickpeas and faba beans on growth, feed utilization and health of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Three legumes [field peas (P), chickpeas (CP) and faba beans (B)] at two inclusion levels [170 g kg−1 (L) and 350 g kg−1 (H)] were evaluated in a 13-week experiment with triplicate groups of 92.6 ± 5.0 g gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). A control diet included wheat meal, fishmeal (FM) and a mixture of plant ingredients as protein sources. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and processed in a twin-screw extruder. Restricted feeding was applied (15 g kg−1 of body weight) and growth, haematology and histology parameters were evaluated. Decreased, but not significant, growth values were observed for all diets including legumes compared to the control. Poorer feed conversion ratio values were observed for both P diets and for high level B diet. Liver glycogen increased with increasing starch level, but hepatosomatic index did not differ significantly for any of the diet treatments. Histological examination of internal organs showed no pathological abnormalities that could be related to nutritional treatment. The study indicated that the tested legumes are ingredients that could be used in farmed seabream diets up to 350 g kg−1 without negative effects replacing other carbohydrate sources and part of FM.

Effect of multiple fortification on the bioavailability of minerals in wheat meal bread

Bioavailability of calcium, iron and zinc as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) @ 1,000, 40 and 20mg kg(-1) respectively from fortified bread of 72% extraction straight grade flour was assessed. Fortified bread diets were fed to 64 female Sprague-Dawley Albino rats for a period of 28days. The retention of Ca, Fe and Zn was measured in plasma, femur and liver tissues of rats. The results showed that the feed intake and live body weight of the experimental animals increased significantly with the time period. The Ca levels in plasma and liver did not change significantly while in femur, Ca retention changed significantly with changing type of the fortificants. Similarly, the results for percent apparent absorption (AA) of Ca also remained unchanged (P < 0.05). The Fe and Zn levels were significantly higher in the plasma, liver and femur of rats fed Fe and Zn fortified bread. Interaction of Ca, Fe and Zn resulted in their decreased bioavailability. However Ca, Fe and Zn absorption was higher in the rats fed triple fortified diet compared with those fed unfortified bread diet. This negative interaction did not appear to be great enough to discourage multiple fortification of flour to address minerals malnutrition in the vulnerable groups.

Collagen Fibrils in Cultured and Wild Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Liver. An Electron Microscopy and Image Analysis Study

This study aims to measure liver collagen fibril diameter in cultured and wild sea breams (Sparus aurata). Cultured sea breams were fed three isonitrogenous diets. The organically produced feed contained sustainable certified fish meal (45%), fish oil (14%), and organic certified wheat; the laboratory feed contained fish meal (45%), fish oil (14%), wheat meal, and soya meal; and the commercial feed included fish meal (46%), fish oil (17%), soya meal, wheat meal, and corn gluten meal. The organic diet had higher amounts of vitamins A, C, and E; specific amino acids; and minerals that enhanced the biosynthesis of collagen. This study shows that fish fed the organic feed had significantly bigger collagen fibril diameters than the fish fed the conventional feed. Furthermore, the organically fed fish had similarly sized collagen fibril diameters as wild fish. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects and the mechanism and function of fish collagen peptide intake on lipid absorption and metabolism; and to identify dietary regimes that are able to improve whole body lipid profiles and suppress the transient increase of plasma triglycerides.