Using ATR-FT/IR molecular spectroscopy to detect effects of blend DDGS inclusion level on the molecular structure spectral and metabolic characteristics of the proteins in hulless barley

Cereal type and conditioning temperature altered protein and carbohydrate molecular structure, nutrient retention and performance in broilers fed pellet diets during starter and grower period

1. Effects of cereal type and conditioning temperature (CT) on protein and carbohydrate (CHO) molecular structures, nutrient retention, carcass and blood characteristics, caecal microbial population and growth criteria of broilers fed pellet diet were evaluated for a total period of 35 d.2. In total, 336-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two different cereal types (maize or wheat) processed in two different temperatures (CT; 68°C or 90°C) with seven pen replicates containing 12 birds each.3. Chicks fed the maize-based diets significantly gained higher body weight (BW) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison to the chicks fed wheat-based diets during the whole grow-out period (p < 0.01). Overall, the highest BW and feed intake (FI) were seen in birds fed wheat-based diets conditioned at 68°C, but the lowest FCR was observed in maize-based diet conditioned at 90°C at 7, 14 and 21 d of age (p < 0.01). However, BW was higher and FCR lower in chicks fed maize-based diets conditioned at 90°C in the grower period (28 and 35 d; p < 0.01).4. The α-helix height was higher in wheat-based starter diets in comparison to the maize-based diet (p < 0.01). Ratio of amide I to II area and total CHO peak height were increased when diets were processed at 90°C in both maize and wheat-based starter diet (p < 0.05). Increasing the CT from 68°C to 90°C reduced CHO peak 1 and 2 height by 11.6% and 3.95%, respectively, in maize-based starter diets, while increasing the CT from 68°C to 90°C reduced CHO peak 1 and 2 height by 54.3% and 57.2%, respectively, in wheat-based starter diets. In the grower diets, increasing the CT from 68°C to 90°C increased CHO peak 1 by 23% in maize-based diets, but reduced CHO peak 1 by 24.5% in wheat-based diets.5. Calcium and phosphorous retention were highest in chicks fed wheat-based diets conditioned at 90°C and lowest in chicks fed maize-based diets conditioned at 90°C (p < 0.01). Salmonella, E. coli and coliforms in the caeca reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in chicks fed wheat-based diets conditioned at 90°C on d 11 and increased with the same diet at 35 d of age compared to the chicks fed maize-based diets conditioned at both 68°C and 90°C or wheat-based diets conditioned at 68°C.6. Conditioning the wheat-based diets at 68°C improved production responses without causing any adverse effects on protein and CHO molecular structures, however increasing the conditioning temperature to 90°C impaired performance due to alteration of protein and CHO molecular structures. In contrast, conditioning of the maize-based diets at 90°C had the opposite effect, and improved production performance compared to diets conditioned at 68°C.

Microencapsulation of β-carotene using barley residue proteins from beer waste as coating material

This study aimed to produce and characterise microparticles produced from barley residue proteins (BRP) enriched with β-carotene. The microparticles were obtained by freeze-drying five emulsion formulations with 0.5% w/w whey protein concentrate and different concentrations of maltodextrin and BRP (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0% w/w), with the dispersed phase consisting of corn oil enriched with β-carotene. The mixtures were mechanically mixed and sonicated, the formed emulsions were freeze-drying. The microparticles obtained were tested for encapsulation efficiency, humidity, hygroscopicity, apparent density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), accelerated stability and bioaccessibility. Microparticles produced with the emulsion containing 6% w/w BRP had lower moisture content (3.47 ± 0.05%), higher encapsulation efficiency (69.11 ± 3.36%), bioaccessibility value of 84.1% and greater β-carotene protection against thermal degradation. SEM analysis showed that microparticles had sizes ranging from 74.4 to 244.8 µm. These results show that BRP are viable for the microencapsulation of bioactive compounds by freeze-drying.

Development of Attenuated Total Reflectance Mid-Infrared (ATR-MIR) and Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy for the Determination of Resistant Starch Content in Wheat Grains

The chemical method for the determination of the resistant starch (RS) content in grains is time-consuming and labor intensive. Near-infrared (NIR) and attenuated total reflectance mid-infrared (ATR-MIR) spectroscopy are rapid and nondestructive analytical techniques for determining grain quality. This study was the first report to establish and compare these two spectroscopic techniques for determining the RS content in wheat grains. Calibration models with four preprocessing techniques based on the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm were built. In the NIR technique, the mean normalization + Savitzky-Golay smoothing (MN + SGS) preprocessing technique had a higher coefficient of determination (R c 2 = 0.672; R p 2 = 0.552) and a relative lower root mean square error value (RMSEC = 0.385; RMSEP = 0.459). In the ATR-MIR technique, the baseline preprocessing method exhibited a better performance regarding to the values of coefficient of determination (R c 2 = 0.927; R p 2 = 0.828) and mean square error value (RMSEC = 0.153; RMSEP = 0.284). The validation of the developed best NIR and ATR-MIR calibration models showed that the ATR-MIR best calibration model has a better RS prediction ability than the NIR best calibration model. Two high grain RS content wheat mutants were screened out by the ATR-MIR best calibration model from the wheat mutant library. There was no significant difference between the predicted values and chemical measured values in the two high RS content mutants. It proved that the ATR-MIR model can be a perfect substitute in RS measuring. All the results indicated that the ATR-MIR spectroscopy with improved screening efficiency can be used as a fast, rapid, and nondestructive method in high grain RS content wheat breeding.

Application of advanced molecular spectroscopy and modern evaluation techniques in canola molecular structure and nutrition property research

This review aims to provide research update and progress on applications of advanced molecular spectroscopy to current research on canola related bio-processing technology, molecular structure, and nutrient utilization and availability. The studies focused on how inherent molecular structure changes affect nutritional quality of canola and its co-products from bio-processing. The molecular spectroscopic techniques (SR-IMS, DRIFT, ATR-FTIR) used for molecular structure and nutrition association were reviewed, including the synchrotron radiation with infrared microspectroscopy, the synchrotron radiation with soft x-ray microspectroscopy, the diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, the grading near infrared reflectance spectroscopy, and the Fourier transform infrared vibrational spectroscopy. Nutritional evaluation with other techniques in association with molecular structure was also reviewed. This study provides updated research progress on application of molecular spectroscopy in combination with various nutrition evaluation techniques to current research in the canola-related bio-oil/bio-energy processing and nutrition sciences.

Infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopic analysis and quantitative detection of forage spectral features in ruminant systems

This study aimed to (1) access protein molecular structure profile and metabolic characteristics of model forages [Foreign sourced-origin (coded as: "FSO", n = 7 vs. Chinese sourced-origin alfalfa hay "CSO", n = 5] in ruminant systems; (2) Quantify the relationship between forage protein molecular structures and protein utilization and availability. Advanced non-invasive vibrational molecular spectroscopic technique (ATR-FTIR: Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) with chemometrics was applied to reveal forage protein molecular structure. Both univariate and multivariate molecular spectral analyses were applied to study molecular structure features in model forages. The molecular structure study provided the detailed protein structure profiles of Amide I and Amide II areas and height, total Amide I and II area ratios, Amide I to II height ratio as well as Amide I to II area ratio using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed FSO and CSO had similar (P > 0.05) protein rumen degradation kinetics. However, FSO had superior quality than CSO in intestinal (IDP) and total digestible protein (TDP) and truly absorbed nutrient supply (P < 0.05). As intestinal digestion of protein, FSO was higher (P < 0.05) in protein digestion in terms of: intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein (dIDP: 47.5 vs. 38.3 %RUP); Intestinal digestible protein (IDP: 17.6 vs. 13.7 %CP). As truly absorbed nutrient supply, FSO contained higher (P < 0.05) truly absorbed rumen synthesized microbial protein, absorbable rumen undegradable feed protein in the small intestine, total truly digested protein in the small intestine, metabolizable protein and Feed Milk Value (FMV^DVE: 1.2 vs. 1.1 g/kg DM). The molecular structure-nutrition interactive relationship study showed that protein molecular structure profiles were highly associated to protein rumen degradation kinetics, significantly correlated to protein subfractions, protein intestinal digestion, and truly absorbed nutrient supply in ruminant systems.

Effects of silencing TT8 and HB12 on in vitro nutrients degradation and VFA production in relation to molecular structures of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

BACKGROUND

Transparent Testa8 (TT8) and Homeobox12 (HB12) are two transcriptional factors in plant phenylpropanoid pathways and were reported to be positively related to lignin content. Alfalfa with silenced TT8 (TT8i) and HB12 (HB12i) was therefore generated using the RNA interference (RNAi) technique. Although lignin was found to be high in HB12i, such gene-silencing of alfalfa resulted in nutrient profiles that might be suitable for grazing. To extend the nutritional evaluation of transformed alfalfa, ground samples of 11 HB12i, 5 TT8i and 4 wild type (WT) were incubated in rumen fluid : buffer solution for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h at 39 °C. Dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradations at each time point, and production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) at 4, 12, 24 and 48 h were analyzed, as well as degradation and production kinetics. The correlations and regressions between nutritive profiles and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectral parameters were determined.

RESULTS

Both transformed genotypes had lower DM degradation and HB12i had lower VFA production compared with WT. Structural carbohydrate (STC) parameters were found to be negatively correlated with DM degradation and VFA production. The kinetics of DM degradation and VFA production were predicted from spectral parameters with good estimation power.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of HB12 and TT8 affected fermentation characteristics of alfalfa and some fermentation characteristics were predictable from spectral parameters using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of FT/IR-ATR vibrational spectroscopy to reveal protein molecular structure of feedstock and co-products from Canadian and Chinese canola processing in relation to microorganism bio-degradation and enzyme bio-digestion

The principal objective of this study was to apply FT/IR-ATR vibrational spectroscopy to inspect the relationship between rumen dry matter (DM) and protein degradation, rumen undegraded protein (RUP) intestinal digestion and processing induced protein molecular structure changes in feedstock (canola oil seeds) and co-products (canola meal) from bio-oil processing from different crushing plants in Canada and China. The rumen DM and protein degradation, rumen undegraded protein intestinal digestion and protein molecular structure affected by bio-oil processing were examined using in situ, three step in vitro digestion and Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR) molecular spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The results showed that the protein molecular structure; α-helix height and α-helix to β-sheet height ratio had a close association with rumen DM and protein degradation and rumen undegraded protein intestinal digestibility. Multiple regression analyses showed that protein β-sheet height and α-helix to β-sheet height ratio spectral intensity can be used to predict rumen DM and protein degradation, while intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein can be predicted by α-helix height and β-sheet height. In conclusion, the co-product canola meal from bio-oil processing is a good source of intestinally digestible protein. Rumen DM and protein degradation and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein are related to the protein molecular structures of the co-products affected by changes during bio-oil processing.

On a Molecular Basis, Investigate Association of Molecular Structure with Bioactive Compounds, Anti-Nutritional Factors and Chemical and Nutrient Profiles of Canola Seeds and Co-Products from Canola Processing: Comparison Crusher Plants within Canada and within China as well as between Canada and China

The objectives of this study were to: (1) Use molecular spectroscopy as a novel technique to quantify protein molecular structures in relation to its chemical profiles and bioenergy values in oil-seeds and co-products from bio-oil processing. (2) Determine and compare: (a) protein molecular structure using Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR-ATR) molecular spectroscopy technique; (b) bioactive compounds, anti-nutritional factors, and chemical composition; and (c) bioenergy values in oil seeds (canola seeds), co-products (meal or pellets) from bio-oil processing plants in Canada in comparison with China. (3) Determine the relationship between protein molecular structural features and nutrient profiles in oil-seeds and co-products from bio-oil processing. Our results showed the possibility to characterize protein molecular structure using FT/IR molecular spectroscopy. Processing induced changes between oil seeds and co-products were found in the chemical, bioenergy profiles and protein molecular structure. However, no strong correlation was found between the chemical and nutrient profiles of oil seeds (canola seeds) and their protein molecular structure. On the other hand, co-products were strongly correlated with protein molecular structure in the chemical profile and bioenergy values. Generally, comparisons of oil seeds (canola seeds) and co-products (meal or pellets) in Canada, in China, and between Canada and China indicated the presence of variations among different crusher plants and bio-oil processing products.

Alteration of biomacromolecule in corn by steam flaking in relation to biodegradation kinetics in ruminant, revealed with vibrational molecular spectroscopy

Large scale of steam flaked corn has been used in dairy ration to maintain high milk production level. This study aimed to determine effects of steam flaking on processing-induced intrinsic molecular structure changes that were associated with rumen degradation kinetics and nutrients supply. The advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy was applied to reveal the processing-induced intrinsic structure changes on a molecular basis. The rumen degradation kinetics and nutrient supply were determined using in situ approach in ruminant livestock system. Raw corn grain (RC) and steam flaked corn grain (SFC) were obtained from two different processing plants. The results showed that (1) Compared to RC, SFC had greater truly digestible non-fiber carbohydrate [tdNFC: 86.8 versus 78.0% dry matter (DM)], but lower truly digestible crude protein [tdCP: 7.7 versus 9.0% DM]. (2) The steam flaking increased (P<0.01) rumen degradable DM (RDDM) and starch (RDSt), but decreased (P<0.01) rumen degradable protein (RDP). (3) Molecular absorbance intensities of most carbohydrate biopolymers were greater in SFC (P<0.01), but protein amides associated molecular spectral intensities were lower (P<0.01) in SFC. (4). The molecular structure and nutrient interactive study showed that carbohydrate spectral intensities were positively (P<0.10) associated with RDDM and RDSt and protein amide spectral intensities were positively (P<0.10) associated with RDP. This results indicated that the steam flaking induced molecular structure changes had an interactive relationship with rumen degradation kinetics.

Structural changes on a molecular basis of canola meal by conditioning temperature and time during pelleting process in relation to physiochemical (energy and protein) properties relevant to ruminants

The objectives of this study were: (1) To investigate the effects of conditioning temperature (70, 80, 90°C), time (30, 60 sec), and interaction (temperature × time) during the pelleting process on internal protein molecular structure changes of the co-products; (2) To identify differences in protein molecular structures among pellets that were processed under different conditions, and between unprocessed mash and pellets; 3) To quantify protein molecular structure changes in relation to predicted energy and protein utilization in dairy cows. The final goal of this program was to show how processing conditions changed internal feed structure on a molecular basis and how molecular structure changes induced by feed processing affected feed milk value in dairy cows. The hypothesis in this study was that processing-induced protein inherent structure changes affected energy and protein availability in dairy cattle and the sensitivity and response of protein internal structure to the different pelleting process conditions could be detected by advanced molecular spectroscopy. The protein molecular structures, amides I and II, amide I to II ratios, α-helix structure, β-sheet structure, and α to β structure ratios, were determined using the advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy (ATR-FT/IR). The energy values were determined using NRC2001 summary approach in terms of total digestible nutrients, metabolizable and net energy for lactation. The protein and carbohydrate subfactions that are related to rumen degradation characteristics and rumen undegraded protein supply were determined using updated CNCPS system. The experiment design was a RCBD and the treatment design was a 3x2 factorial design. The results showed that pelleting induced changes in protein molecular structure. The sensitivity and response of protein inherent structure to the pelleting depended on the conditioning temperature and time. The protein molecular structure changes were correlated (P < 0.05) with energy values and protein subfractions of the pelleted co-product. The results indicated that the protein internal molecular structure had significant roles in determining energy and protein nutritive values in dairy cows. Multi-regression study with model variables selection showed that the energy and protein profiles in pelleted co-products could be predicted with the protein molecular structure profiles. This approach provides us a relatively new way to estimate protein value in dairy cows based on internal protein molecular structure profile.

Univariate and multi-variate comparisons of protein and carbohydrate molecular structural conformations and their associations with nutritive factors in typical by-products

BACKGROUND

Little attention has been paid on the inherent molecular structural effects among agricultural by-products. In this study, soybean meal (SM), wheat bran (WB), corn distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS), dry brewer's grain (DBG), wet brewer's grain (WBG), and apple pomace (AP), which are widely used in the animal industry were selected to explore protein and carbohydrate molecular structural conformations.

RESULTS

All the protein peak heights (including α-helix and β-sheet) and areas were exhibited highest values in SM and lowest in AP. The SM had the highest peak area intensity of cellulosic compounds (CELC), while the remaining varieties showed the lowest absorbance level. The TSCHO (sum of structural carbohydrate (SCHO) and CELC area exhibited variations among the samples. Multivariate comparisons showed AP had no molecular structural association with other by-products within the protein amide region. Protein amides I, II and (I+II) areas, α-helix, β-sheet and area ratio of protein amide and (TSCHO + TCHO) had strong relationships with CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, SCP, starch, PC, CA, CC and TDN contents.

CONCLUSION

Inherent molecular structures varied among the selected by-product types and they might be used as potential predictors of nutritive factors, especially for protein structural information. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Association of protein structure, protein and carbohydrate subfractions with bioenergy profiles and biodegradation functions in modeled forage

The objectives of this study were to detect unique aspects and association of forage protein inherent structure, biological compounds, protein and carbohydrate subfractions, bioenergy profiles, and biodegradation features. In this study, common available alfalfa hay from two different sourced-origins (FSO vs. CSO) was used as a modeled forage for inherent structure profile, bioenergy, biodegradation and their association between their structure and bio-functions. The molecular spectral profiles were determined using non-invasive molecular spectroscopy. The parameters included: protein structure amide I group, amide II group and their ratios; protein subfractions (PA1, PA2, PB1, PB2, PC); carbohydrate fractions (CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CB1, CB2, CC); biodegradable and undegradable fractions of protein (RDPA2, RDPB1, RDPB2, RDP; RUPA2 RUPB1, RUPB2, RUPC, RUP); biodegradable and undegradable fractions of carbohydrate (RDCA4, RDCB1, RDCB2, RDCB3, RDCHO; RUCA4, RUCB1; RUCB2; RUCB3 RUCC, RUCHO) and bioenergy profiles (tdNDF, tdFA, tdCP, tdNFC, TDN1×, DE3×, ME3×, NEL3×; NEm, NEg). The results show differences in protein and carbohydrate (CHO) subfractions in the moderately degradable true protein fraction (PB1: 502 vs. 420 g/kg CP, P=0.09), slowly degraded true protein fraction (PB2: 45 vs. 96 g/kg CP, P=0.02), moderately degradable CHO fraction (CB2: 283 vs. 223 g/kg CHO, P=0.06) and slowly degraded CHO fraction (CB3: 369 vs. 408 g/kg CHO) between the two sourced origins. As to biodegradable (RD) fractions of protein and CHO in rumen, there were differences in RD of PB1 (417 vs. 349 g/kg CP, P=0.09), RD of PB2 (29 vs. 62 g/kg CP, P=0.02), RD of CB2 (251 vs. 198 g/kg DM, P=0.06), RD of CB3 (236 vs. 261 g/kg CHO, P=0.08). As to bioenergy profile, there were differences in total digestible nutrient (TDN: 551 vs. 537 g/kg DM, P=0.06), and metabolic bioenergy (P=0.095). As to protein molecular structure, there were differences in protein structure 1st and 2nd amide groups (P<0.10), but no difference in the 1st to 2nd amide group intensity ratios (P>0.05). These results indicate that the sourced-origins and the internal molecular structure profiles affected biological functions, nutrient bioavailability and biodegradation.

Using non-invasive molecular spectroscopic techniques to detect unique aspects of protein Amide functional groups and chemical properties of modeled forage from different sourced-origins

The non-invasive molecular spectroscopic technique-FT/IR is capable to detect the molecular structure spectral features that are associated with biological, nutritional and biodegradation functions. However, to date, few researches have been conducted to use these non-invasive molecular spectroscopic techniques to study forage internal protein structures associated with biodegradation and biological functions. The objectives of this study were to detect unique aspects and association of protein Amide functional groups in terms of protein Amide I and II spectral profiles and chemical properties in the alfalfa forage (Medicago sativa L.) from different sourced-origins. In this study, alfalfa hay with two different origins was used as modeled forage for molecular structure and chemical property study. In each forage origin, five to seven sources were analyzed. The molecular spectral profiles were determined using FT/IR non-invasive molecular spectroscopy. The parameters of protein spectral profiles included functional groups of Amide I, Amide II and Amide I to II ratio. The results show that the modeled forage Amide I and Amide II were centered at 1653 cm(-1) and 1545 cm(-1), respectively. The Amide I spectral height and area intensities were from 0.02 to 0.03 and 2.67 to 3.36 AI, respectively. The Amide II spectral height and area intensities were from 0.01 to 0.02 and 0.71 to 0.93 AI, respectively. The Amide I to II spectral peak height and area ratios were from 1.86 to 1.88 and 3.68 to 3.79, respectively. Our results show that the non-invasive molecular spectroscopic techniques are capable to detect forage internal protein structure features which are associated with forage chemical properties.

Transformation with TT8 and HB12 RNAi Constructs in Model Forage (Medicago sativa, Alfalfa) Affects Carbohydrate Structure and Metabolic Characteristics in Ruminant Livestock Systems

Lignin, a phenylpropanoid polymer present in secondary cell walls, has a negative impact on feed digestibility. TT8 and HB12 genes were shown to have low expression levels in low-lignin tissues of alfalfa, but to date, there has been no study on the effect of down-regulation of these two genes in alfalfa on nutrient chemical profiles and availability in ruminant livestock systems. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of transformation of alfalfa with TT8 and HB12 RNAi constructs on carbohydrate (CHO) structure and CHO nutritive value in ruminant livestock systems. The results showed that transformation with TT8 and HB12 RNAi constructs reduced rumen, rapidly degraded CHO fractions (RDCA4, P = 0.06; RDCB1, P < 0.01) and totally degraded CHO fraction (TRDCHO, P = 0.08). Both HB12 and TT8 populations had significantly higher in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) at 30 h of incubation (ivNDF30) compared to the control (P < 0.01). The TT8 populations had highest ivDM30 and ivNDF240. Transformation of alfalfa with TT8 and HB12 RNAi constructs induced molecular structure changes. Different CHO functional groups had different sensitivities and different responses to the transformation. The CHO molecular structure changes induced by the transformation were associated with predicted CHO availability. Compared with HB12 RNAi, transformation with TT8 RNAi could improve forage quality by increasing the availability of both NDF and DM. Further study is needed on the relationship between the transformation-induced structure changes at a molecular level and nutrient utilization in ruminant livestock systems when lignification is much higher.

Magnitude differences in agronomic, chemical, nutritional, and structural features among different varieties of forage corn grown on dry land and irrigated land

In this study, eight varieties of corn forage grown in semiarid western Canada (including Pioneer P2501, Pioneer P39m26, Pioneer P7443, Hyland HL3085, Hyland HLBaxxos, Hyland HLR219, Hyland HLSR22, and Pickseed Silex BT) were selected to explore the effect of irrigation implementation in comparison with nonirrigation on (1) agronomic characteristics, (2) basic chemical profiles explored by using a near-infrared reflectance (NIR) system, and (3) protein and carbohydrate internal structural parameters revealed by using an attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) system. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on spectroscopic data for clarification of differences in molecular structural makeup among the varieties. The results showed that irrigation treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05) contents of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) but decreased crude protein (CP) of corn forages. Significant interactions of irrigation treatment and corn variety were observed on most agronomic characteristics (DM yield, T/ha, days to tasseling, days to silking) and crude fiber (CF) and ether extract (EE) contents as well as some spectral data such as cellulosic compounds (CELC) peak intensity, peak ratios of CHO third peak to CELC, α-helix to β-sheet, and CHO third peak to amide I. Additionally, the spectral ratios of chemical functional groups that related to structural and nonstructural carbohydrates and protein polymers in forages did not remain constant over corn varieties cultivated with and without water treatment. Moreover, different cultivars had different growth, structure, and nutrition performances in this study. Although significant differences could be found in peak intensities, PCA results indicated some structural similarities existed between two treated corn forages with the exception of HL3085 and HLBaxxos. In conclusion, irrigation and corn variety had interaction effects on agronomic, chemical, nutritional, and structural features. Further study on the optimum level of irrigation for corn forage cultivation might be helpful in semiarid regions such as western Canada.

A Review on the Role of Vibrational Spectroscopy as An Analytical Method to Measure Starch Biochemical and Biophysical Properties in Cereals and Starchy Foods

Starch is the major component of cereal grains and starchy foods, and changes in its biophysical and biochemical properties (e.g., amylose, amylopectin, pasting, gelatinization, viscosity) will have a direct effect on its end use properties (e.g., bread, malt, polymers). The use of rapid and non-destructive methods to study and monitor starch properties, such as gelatinization, retrogradation, water absorption in cereals and starchy foods, is of great interest in order to improve and assess their quality. In recent years, near infrared reflectance (NIR) and mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy have been explored to predict several quality parameters, such as those generated by instrumental methods commonly used in routine analysis like the rapid visco analyser (RVA) or viscometers. In this review, applications of both NIR and MIR spectroscopy to measure and monitor starch biochemical (amylose, amylopectin, starch) and biophysical properties (e.g., pasting properties) will be presented and discussed.

Interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in carinata seeds as energy feedstock and their coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bio-oil processing before and after biodegradation: current advanced molecular spectroscopic investigations

Recent advances in biofuel and bio-oil processing technology require huge supplies of energy feedstocks for processing. Very recently, new carinata seeds have been developed as energy feedstocks for biofuel and bio-oil production. The processing results in a large amount of coproducts, which are carinata meal. To date, there is no systematic study on interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in carinata seed as energy feedstocks for biofuel and bioethanol processing and their processing coproducts (carinata meal). Molecular spectroscopy with synchrotron and globar sources is a rapid and noninvasive analytical technique and is able to investigate molecular structure conformation in relation to biopolymer functions and bioavailability. However, to date, these techniques are seldom used in biofuel and bioethanol processing in other research laboratories. This paper aims to provide research progress and updates with molecular spectroscopy on the energy feedstock (carinata seed) and coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bioethanol processing and show how to use these molecular techniques to study the interactive association between biopolymers and biofunctions in the energy feedstocks and their coproducts (carinata meal) from biofuel and bio-oil processing before and after biodegradation.

Molecular spectroscopic investigation on fractionation-induced changes on biomacromolecule of co-products from bioethanol processing to explore protein metabolism in ruminants

Fractionation processing is an efficient technology which is capable to redesign/redevelop a new food or feed product with a specified chemical and nutrient profile. This processing technique was able to produce four different fractions (called "A", "B", "C", "D" fractions/treatments) with different nutrient profile form a co-product of bioethanol processing [wheat dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS)]. To date, there is no study on the effect of fractionation processing on inherent molecular structure of different fractions and how the processing-induced structural change affect the metabolic characteristics of protein and nutrient availability. The objectives of this experiment were to: (1) investigate the effect of fractionation processing on changes of protein functional groups (amide I, amide II, and their ratio) and molecular structure (modeled α-helix, β-sheet, and their ratio), and (2) study the relationship between the fractionation processing-induced changes of protein molecular structure and nutrients availability as well as the metabolic characteristics of protein. The hypothesis of this study was that the fractionation processing changes the molecular structure and such changes affect the metabolic characteristics of protein. The protein molecular structure spectral profile of the fractions A, B, C and D were identified by Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FT/IR-ATR). The results showed that the fractionation processing significantly affected the protein molecular spectral profiles. The differences in amide I to amide II peak area and height ratios were strongly significant (P<0.01) among the treatment fractions, ranging from 4.98 to 6.33 and 3.28 to 4.00, respectively. The difference in the modeled protein α-helix to β-sheet ratio was also strongly significant (P<0.01) among the treatment fractions. Multivariate molecular spectral analysis with cluster (CLA) and principal component analyses (PCA) showed that there are no clear distinguished clusters and ellipses among the fractions (A, B, C and D) in the protein amide I and II region ca. 1726-1485 cm(-1). The correlation study showed that the modeled α-helix to β-sheet ratio tended to have a negative correlation with truly absorbed rumen undegraded protein (ARUP(DVE): r=-0.944, P=0.056<0.10) and total truly absorbed protein in the small intestine (DVE: r=-0.946, P=0.054<0.10), but there was no correlation between the α-helix to β-sheet ratio and the degraded protein balance (DPB(OEB): P=0.267<0.10). In conclusion, the fractionation processing changed the molecular structural spectral profiles in terms of amide I to II ratio and α-helix to β-sheet ratio. These changes negatively affected the metabolic characteristics of protein and true protein supply. These results indicated that spectral features of different fractions could be used as a potential tool to predict true protein nutritive value.

Detect changes in protein structure of carinata meal during rumen fermentation in relation to basic chemical profile and comparison with canola meal using ATR-FT/IR molecular spectroscopy with chemometrics

As far as we know, no study has been carried out on whether protein structure changes in the feed during rumen fermentation from other research team. This study was conducted to characterize protein structure spectral changes in carinata meal during ruminal fermentation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR) technique with ATR. The objectives were to find out whether (1) protein internal structure (in terms of protein amide profile and protein secondary structure profile) changed after in situ ruminal fermentation at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h in carinata meal and conventional canola meal was used as a reference; (2) there was any correlation between protein spectral parameters and basic chemical profile in in situ rumen residue samples; and (3) the protein structural chemical make-up of carinata meal differed from canola meal during 48 h rumen incubation. The results showed that protein structure features in both carinata meal and canola meal were altered as incubation time increased (P<0.0001) and linear and curvilinear relationships (P<0.05) on amide II height and area, height and area ratio of amide I and II as well as height ratio of α-helix and β-sheet were observed within 48 h ruminal fermentation. And the amide I height and area as well as α-helix height and β-sheet height were in the highest level of IR absorbance at 0 h and then gradually declined linearly (P<0.0001) by 30-38% after 48 h incubation. These results indicated that not only quantities decreased but also inherent structure changed in protein chemical make-up during ruminal fermentation. Meanwhile, strong correlations were found between protein spectral parameters and some basic nutrients profile such as CP (positively) and NDF (negatively). And both AHCA and PCA results showed that in situ rumen residues from carinata meal was not distinguished from those from canola meal, suggesting some relationship in structural make-up exhibited between them within protein region during 48 h rumen fermentation. Further studies are still needed to investigate detailed information on structural changes in protein of various feedstuffs in order to fully and deeply understand protein degradation during rumen fermentation on both metabolic basis and molecular biological basis.

Authentication of the botanical and geographical origin of distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) by FT-IR spectroscopy

Distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) were investigated with attenuated total reflection FT-IR spectroscopy both directly in their solid state and as the isolated oils (fat fractions). The collected spectra were evaluated in a first step with principal component analysis (PCA) according to the botanical origin (corn, rice, wheat) and the geographical origin (Canada, China, European Union, India, United States) of the DDGS. In a second step, statistical models were constructed for the characterization of the botanical and geographical origin using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA). For this purpose, the botanical origin was investigated more deeply for corn and wheat as the most important raw materials used for DDGS production. Also, the geographical origin was investigated exemplary for corn DDGS, derived from China and the United States. Models were validated by a randomized batchwise procedure and showed satisfactory classification rates, in most cases better than 80% correct classification.

Chemical profile, energy values, and protein molecular structure characteristics of biofuel/bio-oil co-products (carinata meal) in comparison with canola meal

To our knowledge, little information exists on nutritive values and molecular structural characteristics associated with protein biopolymers of carinata meal from biofuel and bio-oil processing. The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) chemical compositions; (2) protein and carbohydrate subfractions partitioned by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS); (3) truly digestible nutrients and energy values; (4) protein conformation spectral characteristics using the ATR-FT/IR technique; and (5) the correlation between protein intrinsic structural features and nutrient profiles of carinata meal in comparison with conventional canola meal as references. The results showed that carinata meal was higher (p < 0.05) in soluble crude protein (SCP, 55.6% CP) and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN, 38.5% CP) and lower in acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP, 1.3% CP) compared to canola meal. Although no differences were found in CP and carbohydrate (CHO) contents, CNCPS protein and carbohydrate subfractions were different (p < 0.05) between carinata meal and canola meal. Carinata meal has similar contents of total digestible nutrient (TDN) and predicted energy values to canoal meal (p > 0.05). As for protein spectral features, much greater IR absorbance in amide I height and area as well as α-helix and β-sheet height for carinata meal by 20-31% (p < 0.05) was found compared with canola meal; however, results from agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated these two meals could not be distinguished completely within the protein spectrum (ca. 1728-1478 cm(-1)). Additionally, close correlations were observed between protein structural parameters and protein nutrient profiles and subfractions. All the comparisons between carinata meal and canola meal in our study indicated that carinata meal could be used as a potential high-protein supplement source for ruminants. Further study is needed on more information associated with nutrient degradability, utilization, and availability of carinata meal to ruminants for its better and effective application in animal industry.