The effect of an exogenous protease on the fermentation and nutritive value of high-moisture corn

The objective of this study was to determine if treating high-moisture corn at harvest with an exogenous protease could accelerate the increase in in vitro ruminal starch degradation that is normally found with advancing times of ensiling. Ground high-moisture corn (HMC; 73% dry matter) was untreated or treated with an exogenous protease to achieve a final concentration of 2,000 mg of protease/kg of fresh corn. Corn was ensiled in laboratory-scale bags (approximately 500 g) that were evacuated of air, heat-sealed, and stored at 22 to 23°C for 70 and 140 d. Samples of freshly treated corn samples were collected to represent d 0 samples. Treatment of HMC with protease did not affect the gross populations of lactic acid bacteria or yeasts throughout the ensiling period. Treatment of HMC with protease resulted in higher concentrations of lactic acid and ethanol after 70 but not 140 d of ensiling. Concentrations of crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates, and starch were unaffected by treatment with protease within each sampling day. After 70 or 140 d of ensiling, HMC that was treated with protease had higher concentrations of soluble protein (as a % of crude protein) and NH₃-N, and had lower concentrations of prolamin protein, compared with untreated corn. In vitro rumen degradability (7-h incubation) of starch was greater in protease-treated versus untreated corn at all sampling days but the difference was more pronounced after 70 and 140 d compared with d 0. Concentrations of soluble protein and NH₃-N were positively correlated with in vitro starch degradation. Conversely, the concentrations of prolamin protein in HMC were negatively correlated with in vitro starch degradation. Treating HMC with an exogenous protease could be a method to obtain greater potential for ruminal starch fermentation after a relatively short period of ensiling.     

Influence of ensiling time and inoculation on alteration of the starch-protein matrix in high-moisture corn

The fates of hydrophobic zein proteins, which encapsulate corn starch to create vitreous endosperm, have not been investigated in high-moisture corn (HMC). To assess influences of ensiling time and inoculation on zein proteins in HMC, quadruplicate samples of 2 random corn hybrids (A and B), containing 25.7 and 29.3% moisture, were ground, inoculated with (I) or without 600,000 cfu/g of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 (Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Milwaukee, WI), and ensiled for 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 d. Nutrient composition [crude protein (CP), starch, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber], fermentation (pH, lactate, and acetate), and protein degradation markers (buffer-soluble CP, isopropanol-soluble CP, and NH₃-N) were evaluated. At 0 and 240 d, α, γ, δ, and β zein subunits were profiled using HPLC. Data were evaluated as a split-split plot using the PROC MIXED procedures of SAS. Ensiling time and inoculation decreased pH, and altered lactate and acetate contents of HMC. Lactate and acetate contents of A, AI, B, and BI at 240 d were 0.40, 0.32, 1.11, 0.73, and 0, 0.35, 0.30, and 0.87% of DM, respectively. Buffer-soluble CP in HMC increased from 1.5 to 2.0% of DM at 0 d to >4.0% of DM at 240 d. Inoculation had no effect on buffer-soluble CP but increased NH₃-N content of HMC. Corn A contained more isopropanol-soluble CP than did corn B and peak areas for 6 α, and all γ and δ zein regions were greater for corn A. Ensiling (0 vs. 240 d) decreased all zein subunits with the exception of 2 α and 1 δ subunit. Ensiling decreased (42.2-73.2%) γ zeins, which are primarily responsible for cross-linking in the starch-protein matrix. Despite altering lactate and acetate contents, inoculation had no effect on degrading hydrophobic zein proteins in HMC. Data suggest that hydrophobic zein proteins in the starch-protein matrix of HMC are degraded by proteolytic activity over an extended ensiling time.     

Effects of ensiling time on corn silage starch ruminal degradability evaluated in situ or in vitro

Accurate measurements of concentration and ruminal degradability of corn silage starch is necessary for formulation of diets that meet the energy requirements of dairy cows. Five corn silage hybrids ensiled for 0 (unfermented), 30, 60, 120, and 150 d were used to determine the effects of ensiling time on starch degradability of corn silage. In addition, the effects of grind size of silage samples on 7-h in vitro starch degradability and the relationship between in vitro, in situ and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) starch degradability were studied. In situ disappearance of corn silage starch increased from 0 to 150 d of ensiling, primarily as a result of an increase in the washout or rapidly degraded fraction of starch, particularly during the first 60 d of ensiling. When analyzed in vitro and by NIRS, ensiling time increased corn silage starch degradability either linearly or to a greater extent during the first 2 mo of ensiling. Differences in in situ starch disappearance among corn silage hybrids were apparent during the first 2 mo of ensiling but were attenuated as silages aged. No differences among hybrids were detected using a 7-h in vitro starch digestibility approach. Results from the in vitro subexperiment indicate that 7-h in vitro starch degradability was increased by reducing grind size of corn silage from 4 to 1 mm, regardless of ensiling duration. Fine grinding corn silages samples (i.e., 1-mm sieve) allowed distinguishing low- from medium- and high-starch degradability rated hybrids. Correlations among in situ, in vitro and NIRS measurements for starch degradability were medium to high (r ≥0.57); however, agreement among methods was low (concordance correlation coefficient ≤0.15). In conclusion, ensiling time linearly increased degradation rate of corn silage resulting in greater in situ starch disappearance after 150 d of ensiling. Reductions in grind size from 4 to 1 mm resulted in greater in vitro starch degradability, regardless of ensiling duration. Strong correlation but low agreement between starch degradability methods suggest that absolute estimations of corn silage starch degradability will vary, but all methods can be used to assess the effect of ensiling time on starch degradability.     

Pelleted beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn: 2. Effects on digestion and ruminal digestion kinetics in lactating dairy cows

The effects of increasing concentrations of dried, pelleted beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn on digestion and ruminal digestion kinetics were evaluated using eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Cows were 79 +/- 17 (mean +/- SD) d in milk at the beginning of the experiment. Experimental diets with 40% forage (corn silage and alfalfa silage) and 60% concentrate contained 0, 6.1, 12.1, or 24.3% beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn on a dry matter basis. Diet concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch were 24.3 and 34.6% (0% beet pulp), 26.2 and 30.5% (6% beet pulp), 28.0 and 26.5% (12% beet pulp), and 31.6 and 18.4% (24% beet pulp), respectively. Ruminal dry matter pool decreased and NDF turnover rate increased as dietary beet pulp content increased. Potentially digestible NDF was digested more extensively and at a faster rate in the rumen with increasing beet pulp, resulting in increased total tract NDF digestibility. Passage rates of potentially digestible NDF and of indigestible NDF were not affected by treatment. True ruminal digestibility of starch decreased with increasing beet pulp substitution. This was caused by a linear increase in starch passage rate, possibly because of increasing ruminal fill, and a linear decrease in digestion rate of starch in the rumen, possibly because of reduced amylolytic enzyme activity for lower-starch diets. Although true ruminal starch digestibility decreased when more beet pulp was fed, whole tract starch digestibility was not affected because of compensatory digestion of starch in the intestines. Due to more thorough digestion of fiber in diets containing more beet pulp, whole-tract digestibility of organic matter increased linearly, and intake of digestible organic matter was not affected. Partially replacing high-moisture corn with beet pulp in low-forage diets increased fiber digestibility without reducing whole-tract starch digestibility.     

Relationship between corn vitreousness and ruminal in situ starch degradability

The objective of this experiment was to determine the relationship between corn kernel vitreousness and ruminal in situ starch degradation. Fourteen U.S. and five Brazilian corn hybrids cultivated in their respective countries were evaluated. The U.S. dent hybrids were harvested at one-half milk line, black layer, and 21 d after black layer stages of maturity. Brazilian flint hybrids were harvested only at the latest stage of maturity. Vitreousness was determined by manual dissection of the kernels. Ruminal in situ degradation of starch was determined in three lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Vitreousness of the five mature Brazilian hybrids averaged 73.1% (range of 64.2% to 80.0%), while vitreousness of the 14 mature U.S. hybrids averaged 48.2% (range of 34.9% to 62.3%). Within the 14 U.S. hybrids, average vitreousness increased from 42.8% to 48.2% as stage of maturity progressed from one-half milk line to 21 d after black layer. The correlation between kernel density and vitreousness was 0.87. The correlations between kernel vitreousness or density and ruminal starch availability were -0.93 and -0.87, respectively. With advancing maturity, kernel vitreousness and density increased while ruminal starch availability decreased. Kernel vitreousness and density may be useful parameters for which to select corn hybrids for high ruminal starch availability. Density may be a more practical measurement than vitreousness for screening large corn data sets.     

Effects of endogenous and exogenous corn protein and its hydrolysates on the structural change and starch digestibility of fried corn starch

Frying could lead to deformation of starch granules and significant reduction in their internal crystalline structure. All of these changes could lead to rapid digestion of fried starch. The addition of corn protein and its hydrolysate to samples prior to frying can reduce the structural change of the granules and also increase their crystallinity and thermostability. Besides, both corn protein and its hydrolysates showed potent abilities in mitigating starch digestion. The fractions of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch increased significantly after the addition of corn protein or its hydrolysate. Meanwhile, the effect of removal of endogenous protein on fried starch was also examined. The results showed that, after removing the protein, starch granules were severely disintegrated during frying; most importantly, the digestibility of starch was increased significantly. The mitigating effect on corn starch digestion could be attributed to structural changes in the ordered structure and suppression of enzyme activities.     

Milk production and nutrient digestibility by dairy cows when fed exogenous amylase with coarsely ground dry corn

The digestibility of starch provided by coarsely ground corn is often low, which reduces the digestible energy (DE) concentration of the diet. We hypothesized that adding exogenous amylase to diets based on coarsely ground dent corn would increase dietary DE resulting in greater milk production. Total-tract nutrient digestibility was measured in a partially replicated Latin square experiment (6 cows and 4 periods) with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Diets had 26 or 31% starch with or without exogenous amylase (amylase was added to the concentrate mixes at the feed mill). In the low and high starch diets, coarsely ground dry corn (mean particle size = 1.42 mm) provided 43 and 62% of total dietary starch (corn silage provided most of the remaining starch). No treatment interactions were observed. High starch diets had greater dry matter (DM), organic matter, and energy digestibility than low starch diets, and diets with amylase had greater neutral detergent fiber digestibility than diets without amylase. Digestibility of starch averaged 88% and was not affected by treatment. A long-term (98-d) lactation study with 48 Holstein cows (74 d in milk) was conducted using 3 of the diets (low starch diets with and without amylase and the high starch diet without amylase). Addition of amylase to a diet with 26% starch did not affect intake, milk yield, milk composition, body weight, or body condition. Cows fed the diet with 31% starch had greater DM and DE intakes; yields of milk, fat, and protein; and feed efficiency than those fed diets with 26% starch. Milk composition was not affected by starch concentration. Adding exogenous amylase to a lower starch diet did not make the diet nutritionally equivalent to a higher starch diet.     

Chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility of pigmented corn tortilla

BACKGROUND: Tortillas were prepared from two (blue and regular white) maize varieties and compared with regard to chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility, i.e., available starch (AS), total (RS) and retrograde (RRS) resistant starch contents, amylolysis rate and predicted glycemic index (pGI). The impact of cold storage (4 °C) on digestibility was also investigated. RESULTS: Despite its higher protein and lipid contents, pigmented tortilla exhibited lower AS content than the white product. AS in both types of tortilla decreased during the first 2 days of storage, and remained stable thereafter. Blue tortilla had lower RS content (21 g kg^?1 dry matter basis) than the white tortilla (30 g kg^?1 dry matter basis). RS values were slightly higher in 2 day‐stored tortillas than in their fresh counterparts. Although the RRS content in recently made white tortillas was greater than in the colored preparation, stored blue tortillas exhibited double RRS values compared with freshly baked samples. α‐Amylolysis of blue tortilla was slower than in the white sample. Consequently, blue tortilla exhibited a lower pGI value. pGI for the white tortilla decreased upon cold storage, a change that was not be observed for the colored preparation. CONCLUSION: Starch digestibility characteristics of blue tortilla make it suitable for people with special nutritional or metabolic requirements. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Proximal composition and in vitro starch digestibility in flaxseed‐added corn tortilla

BACKGROUND: The effect of addition of flaxseed flour (10:90, 15:85 and 20:80, w/w) on the chemical composition and starch digestibility of corn tortilla was investigated. Tortillas were baked and frozen in liquid nitrogen, freeze‐dried, ground and analyzed for fat, protein, ash, total starch (TS), available starch (AS) and resistant starch (RS) contents as well as for starch hydrolysis rate and predicted glycemic index (pGI). Tortillas made from commercial nixtamalized corn flour were used as control sample. RESULTS: Flaxseed flour addition increased the fat and protein content of tortilla, whereas TS and AS decreased. TS was 15.25% lower in the 20% flaxseed‐containing tortilla as compared to the control sample. The AS content was 12.65% lower in the composite tortilla. RS content in the samples ranged between 1.92% for the control sample and 5.08% for the tortilla containing 20% flaxseed. The reduced enzymatic starch hydrolysis rate and pGI recorded for the flaxseed‐added tortilla, indicated slow digestion features. CONCLUSIONS: Flaxseed‐added tortilla might be used to increase the consumption of α‐linolenic acid in the daily diet and modulate starch digestibility of corn tortilla. This kind of product may be used by people with special diet reqirements. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

抗性淀粉直链淀粉含量测定及消化性研究

以蜡质玉米淀粉为原料,经过糊化后使用普鲁兰酶脱支,产生更多的短直链淀粉重新结晶来制备抗性淀粉。通过碘吸光度法测定,直链淀粉含量高的样品的抗性淀粉含量不一定高,但直链淀粉含量低的样品不容易产生高含量抗性淀粉。在In-Vitro消化模型中,和原淀粉相比,所有的抗性淀粉样品消化产物的量、还原糖释放率和平均消化速率都减少或降低,并且抗性淀粉含量越高,减少或降低得越多。     

Chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility of corn tortillas with added amaranth flour

Background: Corn tortillas containing 20% (w/w) amaranth flour (AF) were kept in cold storage and analysed after various times for chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility, including predicted glycemic index. Comparison was made with traditional nixtamalised corn flour (NCF) tortillas. Results: Lipid and protein contents were higher in mixed NCF/AF tortilla than in NCF tortilla. Available starch (AS) content was lower in NCF/AF tortilla and decreased during cold storage. However, this decrease was greater in NCF tortilla, suggesting slower starch retrogradation in NCF/AF tortilla. After 96 h of storage, total resistant starch (RS) content was higher in NCF tortilla than in NCF/AF tortilla. However, no differences were detected thereafter, indicating similar retrogradation after long storage times. Retrograded resistant starch contents indicated that only part of the total RS in tortilla is due to retrogradation, which agrees with the tendency recorded for AS and RS in both types of tortilla. α‐Amylolysis rates were similar in NCF/AF and NCF tortillas, decreasing with storage. The predicted glycemic index was always higher in NCF/AF tortilla, a pattern that might be due to the waxy‐type starch present in AF. Conclusion: NCF/AF tortilla might be suitable as a product with higher protein content and higher glycemic index than conventional NCF tortilla. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pelleted beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn: 3. Effects on ruminal fermentation, pH, and microbial protein efficiency in lactating dairy cows

The effects of increasing concentrations of dried, pelleted beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn on ruminal fermentation, pH, and microbial efficiency were evaluated using eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Cows were 79 +/- 17 (mean +/- SD) DIM at the beginning of the experiment. Experimental diets with 40% forage (corn silage and alfalfa silage) and 60% concentrate contained 0, 6.1, 12.1, or 24.3% beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn on a DM basis. Diet concentrations of NDF and starch were 24.3 and 34.6% (0% beet pulp), 26.2 and 30.5% (6% beet pulp), 28.0, and 26.5% (12% beet pulp), and 31.6 and 18.4% (24% beet pulp), respectively. Substituting beet pulp for corn did not affect daily mean or minimum ruminal pH but tended to reduce pH range. Ruminal acetate:propionate responded in a positive exponential relationship to added beet pulp. Rate of valerate absorption from the rumen was not affected by treatment. Substituting beet pulp for corn up to 24% of diet DM did not affect efficiency of ruminal microbial protein production, expressed as microbial N flow to the duodenum as a percentage of OM truly digested in the rumen. Microbial efficiency was not correlated to mean pH or daily minimum pH. While microbial efficiency was not directly related to concentration of beet pulp fed, it was positively correlated with passage rate of particulate matter, as represented by starch and indigestible NDF, probably due to reduced turnover of microbial protein in the rumen.     

Effects of corn grain conservation method on ruminal digestion kinetics for lactating dairy cows at two dietary starch concentrations

Effects of conservation method of corn grain and dietary starch concentration on ruminal digestion kinetics were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows (55 +/- 15.9 days in milk; mean +/- SD) were used in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either ground high moisture corn (HM) or dry ground corn (DG) at two dietary starch concentrations (32 vs. 21%). Mean particle size and dry-matter concentration of corn grain were 1,863 microm and 63.2%, and 885 microm and 89.7%, for HM and DG, respectively. Starch digestibility in the rumen was greater for HM treatments compared with DG treatments, but starch digestibility in the total tract was not affected by conservation method of corn grain because of compensatory digestion in the intestines. The difference in ruminal starch digestibility between HM and DG treatment was greater for high-starch diets (71.1 vs. 46.9%) compared with low-starch diets (58.5 vs. 45.9%). This interaction is attributed to a greater difference in first-order digestion rate of starch between HM and DG treatment in high-starch diets (28.2 vs. 14.6%/h) compared with low-starch diets (16.8 vs. 12.2%/h). This suggests that ruminal starch digestion is a second-order reaction limited by enzyme activities as well as substrate availability; ruminal contents of cows fed low-starch diets may have insufficient amylolytic activity for maximal starch digestion when readily fermentable starch is available. Rate of neutral detergent fiber digestion in the rumen was slower for high-starch diets and HM treatments compared with low-starch diets and DG treatments, respectively. Effects of corn grain conservation method on ruminal digestion kinetics are greatly altered by starch concentration of diets.     

Type of corn endosperm influences nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of type of corn endosperm on nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows. Near-isogenic variants of an Oh43 × W64A normal dent endosperm hybrid carrying floury-2 or opaque-2 alleles were grown in spatial isolation in field plots and harvested as dry shelled corn. Six ruminally cannulated, multiparous Holstein cows (67 ± 9 d in milk at trial initiation) were randomly assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 14-d periods; the first 11 d of each period were for diet adaptation followed by 3 d of sampling and data collection. Treatment diets that contained dry rolled vitreous-, floury-, or opaque-endosperm corn [33% of dry matter (DM)], alfalfa silage (55% of DM) and protein-mineral-vitamin supplement (12% of DM) were fed as a total mixed ration. The percentage vitreous endosperm was zero for floury and opaque endosperm corns and 64 ± 7% for the vitreous corn. Prolamin protein content of floury and opaque endosperm corns was 30% of the content found in vitreous corn. Degree of starch access and in vitro ruminal starch digestibility measurements were 32 and 42% greater on average, respectively, for floury and opaque endosperm corns than for vitreous corn. Dry matter and starch disappearances after 8-h ruminal in situ incubations were, on average, 24 and 32 percentage units greater, respectively, for floury and opaque endosperm corns than for vitreous corn. Ruminal pH and acetate molar percentage were lower, propionate molar percentage was greater, and acetate:propionate ratio was lower for cows fed diets containing floury and opaque endosperm corns than for cows fed vitreous corn. In agreement with laboratory and in situ measurements, total-tract starch digestibility was 6.3 percentage units greater, on average, for cows fed diets containing floury and opaque endosperm corns than vitreous corn. Conversely, apparent total-tract neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was lower for cows fed diets containing floury and opaque endosperm corns compared with vitreous corn. The type of endosperm in corn fed to dairy cows can have a marked effect on digestion of starch and NDF. Feeding less vitreous corn increased starch digestion but decreased NDF digestion.     

干法制备高取代度玉米磷酸单酯淀粉研究

该研究采用以磷酸与焦磷酸钠按一定配比混合作为酯化试剂,尿素为催化剂干法制备高取代度磷酸单酯淀粉,并研究不同反应条件对磷酸单酯淀粉取代度(DS)及反应效率影响。     

Selection of barley grain affects ruminal fermentation, starch digestibility, and productivity of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 lots of barley grain cultivars differing in expected ruminal starch degradation on dry matter (DM) intake, ruminal fermentation, ruminal and total tract digestibility, and milk production of dairy cows when provided at 2 concentrations in the diet. Four primiparous ruminally cannulated (123 ± 69 d in milk; mean ± SD) and 4 multiparous ruminally and duodenally cannulated (46 ± 14 d in milk) cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 16-d periods. Primiparous and multiparous cows were assigned to different squares. Treatments were 2 dietary starch concentrations (30 vs. 23% of dietary DM) and 2 lots of barley grain cultivars (Xena vs. Dillon) differing in expected ruminal starch degradation. Xena had higher starch concentration (58.7 vs. 50.0%) and greater in vitro 6-h starch digestibility (78.0 vs. 73.5%) compared with Dillon. All experimental diets were formulated to supply 18.3% crude protein and 20.0% forage neutral detergent fiber. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not affected by treatment. Milk fat concentration (3.55 vs. 3.29%) was greater for cows fed Dillon compared with Xena, but was not affected by dietary starch concentration. Ruminal starch digestion was greater for cows fed high-starch diets compared with those fed low-starch diets (4.55 vs. 2.49 kg/d), and tended to be greater for cows fed Xena compared with those fed Dillon (3.85 vs. 3.19 kg/d). Ruminal acetate concentration was lower, and propionate concentration was greater, for cows fed Xena or high-starch diets compared with cows fed Dillon or low-starch diets, respectively. Furthermore, cows fed Xena or high-starch diets had longer duration that ruminal pH was below 5.8 (6.6 vs. 4.0 and 6.4 vs. 4.2 h/d) and greater total tract starch digestibility (94.3 vs. 93.0 and 94.3 vs. 93.0%) compared with cows fed Dillon or low-starch diets, respectively. These results demonstrate that selection of barley grain can affect milk fat production and rumen fermentation to an extent at least as great as changes in dietary starch concentration.