Search

Abstract: Three processed products derived from the green algae C. vulgaris were investigated: (1) spray-dried only (S-DA); (2) spray-dried and electroporated (ES-DA); (3) spray-dried; ultrasonicated treated (US-DA). A nitrogen-balance study was performed. Male growing Wistar rats, housed separately in metabolism cages, were fed the three algal products as the sole protein source at 150mgN per 100g of body weight. A control group of rats was fed with casein at a level to give the same protein nitrogen intake. The coefficients of total intestinal tract apparent crude protein digestibility for the different C. vulgaris products were: S-DA=0.47±0.127% (mean±S.D.), ES-DA=0.44±0.075%, US-DA=0.57±0.137%. Protein efficiency ratio was 1.4±0.3, 1.0±0.5 and 2.1±0.3, respectively. N-balance was 41.86±32.8mg, 31.3±17.3mg and 66.7±30.1mg, respectively. The biological value was 93±9.5%, 93.6±10%, and 101±5%, respectively. The coefficient of total intestinal tract apparent crude protein digestibility and biological value of C. vulgaris was enhanced by ultrasonic treatment and reduced by electroporating, thus ultrasonication may be a helpful technological process in practical processing of green algae in food industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The ensiling characteristics of barley, triticale and wheat grains at two different moisture levels, with and without the addition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum DSMZ 8862 and 8866) were determined after a 50-day storage period. In addition, the impact of the different ensiling techniques on the nutritional value was determined in pigs. In Experiment (Exp.) 1, mature grains were ground and water was added to adjust the moisture to 250gkg−1 (low moisture content, LMC) or 350gkg−1 (high moisture content, HMC). Grains were ensiled in laboratory scale silos for 3, 10 and 50 days. In the HMC silos, pH declined within 3 days irrespective of LAB treatment. In the LAB treated LMC, pH declined after 10 days of storage, whereas pH of untreated grains remained unchanged. Lactic acid production was higher (P<0.05) in HMC than in LMC grains, with almost no acid production with the untreated LMC grains. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the composition of the bacterial communities changed when LAB was added. Nutrient digestibility of HMC and LMC grains ensiled for 50 days with addition of LAB and untreated dry grains was determined separately for each grain in pigs. Digestibility was increased in LMC (crude fibre, crude protein, phosphorus) and HMC (ether extract) wheat grains, whereas only ether extract digestibility was improved in HMC triticale and no differences were observed for barley. A higher (P<0.05) phosphorus digestibility was observed in LMC triticale and wheat as compared to the dry grains, likely due to reduced phytate-P after ensiling. The results show that cereals with a moisture content of 250gkg−1 can be ensiled successfully provided that LAB is added, and that under these conditions phosphorus availability is increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]