Effects of Differences in Fibre Composition and Maturity of Forage-Based Diets on the Microbial Ecosystem and Its Activity in Equine Caecum and Colon Digesta and Faeces

Fibrous feeds are essential for horses. When developing feeding regimens promoting health and performance, we need to understand the digestion of plant cell walls and the functioning of the hindgut microbial ecosystem. Our objective was to investigate the effect of grass fibre maturity and legume forage on the hindgut microbiota and its activity. Six caecum and colon fistulated geldings were fed three diets differing in fibre composition: concentrate and late harvested grass haylage (35:65 energy ratio) (C); early and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (G); lucerne and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (L) for 28 days in a Latin-square design. No differences were measured in total bacteria concentrations, fungi and protozoa numbers nor in cellulolytic bacteria concentrations between the diets. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations did not differ between diets, but a lower (acetate + butyrate)/propionate ratio when the horses were fed Diet C, compared to G and L, was observed, suggesting lower fibrolytic and higher amylolytic activity. The pH increased when the horses were fed Diet L and decreased when fed C and G from caecum to faeces. The buffering capacity (BC) of hindgut digesta was five to fifteen-fold higher than that of the feeds, suggesting a decreased effect of feed BC as digesta travelled through the digestive tract. In conclusion, an early harvested forage opens up the possibility for forage-only diets, providing high energy without the negative effects of concentrate.

Effects of Adding Novel Fibre Composition to White Rice in a Meal on Glycemic, Insulinemic and Appetite Responses - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives Using modern food technologies, a novel fibre composition was designed to reduce the glycemic response of white rice while maintaining its organoleptic properties. An increased intake of dietary fibre improves glycemic control and satiety. The incorporation of fibre into staple foods may be a viable dietary strategy against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. This study investigated the postprandial glucose, insulin and appetite changes to a novel grain shape fibre composition, fibre grains, in a mixed meal. Methods A randomized, controlled, crossover feeding trial was conducted with 22 healthy adults. Participants were randomized to consume control and fiber grains in a meal. Primary outcomes measured were postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Appetite changes were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and gut hormones, ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1). Results The addition of fibre grains brought about a non-significant reduction in the 2 h postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses. The rated satiety scores were not significantly different for desire to eat, hunger and fullness. However, prospective food intake was suppressed to a smaller extent following the consumption of fibre grain (mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SEM: −2888.9 ± 498.1 mm.min) compared to the control (−4615.2 ± 730.9 mm.min, p = 0.024). The postprandial ghrelin was found to be significantly larger for fibre grain meal (AUC: 9345.7 ± 4114.5 pg/ml.min) compared to the control (AUC: −7637.7 ± 5359.0 pg/ml.min, p = 0.031). The level of GLP-1 was also significantly larger after fibre grain meal (AUC: 1108.5 ± 114.9 pM/min) compared to the control (AUC: 877.4 ± 110.2 pM/min, p = 0.044). Conclusions The application of fibre grains at the current level did not significantly reduce the postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in a mixed meal. However, a significant increase in postprandial GLP-1 may have implications in blood glucose management and appetite control and warrants further studies. Funding Sources This study is supported by a joint project grant received from the National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, through the Health Innovation Programme. It is also supported by Alchemy Foodtech Pte. Ltd. Funding agencies have no role in data collection and interpretation.

Properties of different silage maize hybrids

The aim of this study was to observe the properties of ten maize hybrids from Serbia including agronomic traits, lignocellulosic fibre composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Five yellow kernel dent hybrids and five analogue red kernel hybrids were used in this study to evaluate the agronomic traits, dry matter content of the whole plant, lignocellulosic fibre composition, ratios between different fibres, in vitro dry matter and NDF digestibility. Correlation coefficients between the investigated traits of the maize hybrids were assessed. Even though the results of our study showed variations regarding nutritional composition of the whole maize plant between the investigated maize hybrids, the hybrid and the differences in kernel colour (yellow or red) did not considerably affect the properties that influence quality of the maize hybrids for silage production. The highest IVDMD was determined in yellow kernel hybrid ZP 388, while the maximum NDFD was detected in the red kernel hybrid ZP 606red which also showed the lowest ADL/NDF and ADF/NDF ratios. The results indicate that all of the hybrids used in this study are good candidates for the production of high-quality silage for ruminant nutrition.

Evaluation of Rice Straw Yield, Fibre Composition and Collection Under Mediterranean Conditions

Rice straw remains almost unutilised in the majority of cases and is usually burned. Data on rice residue production under European conditions are extremely limited. A detailed assessment of rice biomass yield, partitioning and straw collection was carried out in Spain. Eleven commercial rice varieties were evaluated in 2015, and two baling trials were performed in 2014 and 2015. The average straw yield was 9.7 t·ha−1. Straw yield, biomass partitioning indices and fibre composition varied significantly according to rice variety. Straw to grain ratio and harvest index were 1.00 and 0.50 on average for rough grain, and 1.25 and 0.41 for husked grain. Biomass partitioning indices significantly correlated with grain yield. Mean content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash of rice straw was 32.5%, 19.8%, 6.5% and 13.7%, respectively. Straw amount of less than 3.0 t·ha−1 can be collected during the baling trials. Rice straw could represent an eco-friendly source of lignocellulosic biomass in Europe, however, in order to achieve this, baling machine improvements and special crop management should be carried out.