Author:
van Barneveld Samantha L.
Abstract
This paper reviews the carbohydrate, protein, lipid, anti-nutritional, and
physical characteristics ofgrains that determine the variability in their
nutritional quality for ruminant animals. The amount, rate, and extent of
starch fermentation in the rumen have been the subject of many studies, with
large variation found between and within grain species. Electron microscopy
scanning techniques have shown that the protein matrix limits the microbial
colonisation of starch granules in some grain species, whereas in others it
may be the structural carbohydrates that affect colonisation. The composition
of the different fibre fractions of grains and their interaction with non-fibre
carbohydrates requires investigation, since it has been shown that
non-starchpolysaccharides, including neutral detergent fibre and acid
detergent fibre, may not be specific enough to predict animal response to
grain. Fermentation patterns of the non-starch polysaccharide components of
legumes are also poorly understood and hence require further investigation.
Different varieties of grain and different seasonal conditions show variation
in the protein fractions of the kernel. Since these fractions display
different solubility and degradation rates in the rumen, rumen solubility
values cannot be generalised for grains. The variability in solubility caused
by rumen flow rate and pH is a further complication. Finally, the lipid
content of grains varies greatly, with high-oil grains potentially contributing
to the energy level of the diet, but possibly negatively affecting rumen
fermentation. Due to the degree of variability of characteristics discussed in
this review, it is clear that the nutritional quality of grains cannot be
assessed in a single rapid assay.
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Cited by
12 articles.
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