An in vitro digestion of selected starches by Ronald Lyle Davis A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Animal Science Montana State University © Copyright by Ronald Lyle Davis (1966) Abstract: Three vitro digestion trials were conducted comparing 5 barley starches, corn starch, milo starch, amylose and amylopectin. Within each trial, substrates were subjected to digestion on each of 3 different days. The phenol-sulfuric acid procedure used to analyze for residual starch was compared to the enthrone method of Moore et al. (1962). In Trial I the starches of corn, milo, wheat, Oderbrucker barley and Compana barley were compared. Oderbrucker starch was digested significantly faster (P<.01) or equal to corn starch and the other starches. In most instances wheat and milo starch were digested slower than corn starch. The starches of corn and the barley varieties, Compana, Newpaha, Betzes and Unitan were compared in Trial II, Corn starch digested significantly faster (P<.01) or equal to the other starches in all but one instance. Unitah starch digested significantly slower (P<.01) or equal to the other starches in all but one instance. In Trial III corn starch, Compana starch, Newpana starch, amylopectin and amylose were compared. Amylopectin digested significantly faster (P <.01) or equal to the other substrates. Amylose tended to digest faster than the 3 starches at the start of the fermentation period; however at the end of the period amylose digested slower than the other substrates. In all trials at the end of the fermentation period, digestion was either greater than or approached 90 percent. All interactions excluding hours x variety for Trials I and II were highly significant (P <.01) Hours x variety was significant (P<.05) for Trial III. The correlation between the phenol-sulfuric acid method and the enthrone method was highly significant (r = .99). AN IN VITRO DIGESTION OF SELECTED STARCHES by RONALD LYLE DAVIS A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Animal Science Approved: Head, Major Department Graduate Dean MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana December, 1966 -iiiACKNOWLEDGMENTS My gratitude and appreciation are sincerely expressed to Dr, C. W, Newman for his assistance in conducting the investigation, and for his invaluable service in preparing this manuscript, I am also grateful to him for his assistance and recommendations in acquiring the assistantship. which made it possible for me to continue my education. I wish to thank Dr. 0. 0. Thomas and Dr, R„ L. Blackwell for their cooperation and constructive criticism in completing this manuscript, I also want to thank Mr. Dave Jacobsen for his assistance with the statis­ tical analysis. The help, understanding and encouragement from my wife. Dona, through­ out my graduate program is sincerely appreciated, for without her this work would have been much more difficult. An acknowledgment of indebtedness is made to Dr. K. J. Goering for separating the starch and for his interest in the project, to Dr. G. 0. Baker for making available bis laboratory equipment, and to Mrs. Mildred Latta for proof reading and typing this manuscript. / TABLE OF CONTENTS Page VITA 0 0 9 0 0 ii 0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS „ . . INDEX TO TABLES . „ . O 6 0 9 0 9 0 * « » * 0 « 0 0 9 . „ . iii 9 0 O O 0 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 O O O 0 6 0 Vl 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 9 INDEX TO APPENDIX TABLES . . INDEX TO APPENDIX FIGURES ABSTRACT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 0 0 0 0 0 INTRODUCTION . . 0 0 O O 9 » 0 9 0 0 0 REVIEW OF LITERATURE . . . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .,O O 9 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 vii viii ix O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 1 0 0 9 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 Correlations Between In Vitro and In Vivo Methods 2 Factors Affecting Cellulose Digestion 4 Inoculum 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 Minerals and vitamins Carbohydrates Lignin 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 In Vitro Starch Digestion O O O 0 O O 0 General Procedures O O 0 0 . » . 0 0 O 0 0 Enzymatic Starch Digestion PROCEDURES 6 O 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 0 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 O 0 9 0 0 9 O 0 6 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 8 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ^ 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Measurement of Starch Fermentation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 9 0 0 13 9 0 0 0 15 15 6 6 » . . . » ' . . . . . . 6 6 In Vitro Procedures „ . 11 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 17 . . . . . . . Phenol-sulfuric acid procedure 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 Anthrone colorimetric method 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . . . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 V Page Trials I, II, III * « « » 0 9 9 . . 19 0 Phenol-Sulfuric Acid - Anthrone Comparison SUMMARY . . » « e o e » e o « * e 6 . 27 # « e e * e » . . 31 9 APPENDIX . . . . LITERATURE CITED . . 33 • o » o » o » . . 42 -viINDEX TO TABLES TABLE I. II0 III0 IV0 V. VI0 VII0 VIII Page PERCENT DIGESTION OF STARCHES IN TRIAL I . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN TRIAL I (CORN, ODERBRUCKER, COMPANA, MILO9 WHEAT) . . . . . 21 . . 22 PERCENT DIGESTION OF STARCHES IN TRIAL II . . . . . . . . ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN TRIAL II (CORN, COMPANA9 NEWPANA9 BETZES9 UNITAN) . . . . . 23 PERCENT DIGESTION OF SUBSTRATES IN TRIAL III . . . . . . . . . 24 ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN TRIAL III (CORN, COMPANA9 NEWPANA9 AMYLOPECTIN9 AMYLOSE) . . . . . . a . . . . . . . a . . . . . . g . . . . o 25 COMPARISON BETWEEN THE ANTHRONE METHOD AND PHENOLSULFURIC ACID METHOD USING CORN STARCH ON DAY 3 TR IjAL III . . . . . . . . . . . o o . . . . . . . . . 28 PERCENT RECOVERY OF ADDED STARCH FOR TRIALS I, II9 III 30 viiINDEX TO APPENDIX TABLES TABLES I, II. Ill, Page PERCENT DIGESTION I, II, III . . . . THREE-DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIALS 34 TWO-WAY TABLE SHOWING DAYS X VARIETY INTERACTION FOR TRIALS I, II, III 36 TWO-WAY TABLE SHOWING HOURS X DAY INTERACTION FOR TRIALS I , II, III . . . . . . . . . . . . . a . . 37 -viiiINDEX TO APPENDIX FIGURES FIGURE Page 1. PERCENT DIGESTION — THREE-DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL I .......... 38 2. PERCENT DIGESTION — THREE-DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL II „ . . . . 39 3„ PERCENT DIGESTION — THREE-DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL III „ 40 4, PERCENT DIGESTION — COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PHENOLSULFURIC ACID METHOD AND THE ANTHRONE M E T H O D ........ .. . . . 41 -ixABSTRACT Three vitro digestion trials were conducted comparing 5 barley starches, corn starch, milo starch, amylose and amylopectin. Within each trial, substrates were subjected to digestion on each of 3 different days. The phenol-sulfuric acid procedure used to analyze for residual starch was compared to the enthrone method of Moore est al. (1962). In Trial I the starches of corn, milo, wheat, Oderbrucker barley and Compana barley were compared. Oderbrucker starch was digested significant­ ly faster (P <f.01) or equal to corn starch and the other starches. In most instances wheat and milo starch were digested slower than corn starch. The starches of corn and the barley varieties, Compana, Newpaha, Betzes and Unitan were compared in Trial II, Corn starch digested signifi­ cantly faster (P<%01) or equal to the other starches in all but one in­ stance. Unitah starch digested significantly slower (P<^.01) or equal to the other starches in all but one instance. In Trial III corn starch, Compana starch, Newpana starch, amylopectin and amylose were compared. Amylopectin digested significantly faster (P <^.01) or equal to the other substrates. Amylose tended to digest fas­ ter than the 3 starches at the start of the fermentation period; however at the end of the period amylose digested slower than the other substrates. In all trials at the end of the fermentation period, digestion was either greater than or approached 90 percent. All interactions excluding hours x variety for Trials I and II were highly significant (P <^.01)« Hours x variety was significant (P<^„05) for Trial III. The correlation between the phenol-sulfuric acid method and the en­ throne method was highly significant (r = .99). INTRODUCTION Barley is Montana's most important livestock feed grain. Many vari­ eties are grown each year and new varieties are continually being devel­ oped, There is a need to determine if there is a difference in the microbial digestion of the numerous barley varieties. Emphasis on high-energy feeding programs for ruminants has resulted in widespread use of rations in which starch is the primary source of energy. Very little digestibility data, either in vitro or iri vivo, is available on high concentrate rations. The in vitro procedure has made a major contribution to the under­ standing of cellulose digestion in the ruminant; however relatively little attention has been given to the study of starch digestion by rumen micro­ organisms. Because barley is the major source of energy in Montana's livestock feeding programs, it was deemed necessary to study starch digestion of several varieties produced by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station at Bozeman. The major objectives of the trials reported in this manu­ script were to determine if differences exist among barley varieties in regard to starch digestion by rumen microorganisms, to evaluate the in vitro method as a basis for comparing digestion of starch and to evaluate the phenol-sulfuric acid method of starch determination as compared to the more difficult enthrone method used by Moore et al. (1962). REVIEW OF LITERATURE The suggestion that microorganisms were responsible for cellulose disappearance as feed passed through the alimentary tracts of ruminants was made as early as 1874-1882, Johnson (1963). It was not until the early 1940"s that the in vitro digestion technique was developed. Since that time, jLn vitro digestion has been widely used in cellulose digestibility studies. In vitro techniques have also been used to measure the produc­ tion of volatile fatty acids, to study utilization of various nitrogenous compounds by rumen microflora and to predict forage nutritive values. . Warner (1956) established criteria for the validity of in vitro studies with rumen microorganisms. Warner stated that motility of the bacteria appeared to be a sensitive measure of normal rumen function. For the in vitro microbial population to remain normal in numbers, it was necessary to use as test substrates only substances similar to the diet fed the animal from which the innoculum was taken, Barnes ejt al. (1964) compared several in vitro methods of cellulose digestion. As the length of fermentation increased, the standard devia­ tion between methods decreased. The variability was therefore associated with the initial lag phase period of 6 and 12 hour fermentations. Donefer et al. (1960) stated that the prerequisite of a useful in vitro technique was its ability to measure the effects on cellulose digestion of the early lag differences in fermentation. Correlations Between In Vitro and In Vivo Methods In order to effectively evaluate the in vitro method of digestibility, the in vitro and in vivo methods were compared. -3“ Barnett (1957) reported that results calculated for cellulose digest-? ibility coefficients were within —5.6 percent of determined in vivo and in vitro digestion. It was shown that the variability associated with! cellu­ lose digestibility in vivo was only slightly smaller than the variability associated with replicate determinations of cellulose digestibility in vitro. Quick (1959) compared iji vitro and jm vivo digestibilities of several grass hays and legumes. There was no significant difference between the two methods. Forty-eight hour fermentations conducted by Lefevre and Kamstra (1960) yielded.cellulose digestion coefficients similar to values obtained in vivo (r = 0.84). Cellulose digestion in twenty-four hour fermentations was below that obtained in vivo. Digestion coefficients obtained in vitro with sheep and cattle rumen fluids as inoculum were similar. Correlations between JLn vitro and In vivo measures of digestibility were conducted by Bowden and Church (1962). follows: These correlations were as (I) in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vivo dry matter digestibility were correlated (r = 0.93), (2) in vitro cellulose digestion and in vivo dry matter digestibility were correlated (r = 0.87), (3) in vitro dry matter digestibility with crude protein of the forage was corre­ lated (r = 0.94), (4) in vitro cellulose digestion with crude protein con­ tent of the forage was correlated (r = 0.93). Baumgardt et al. (1962b) supported the work by Bowden and Church by finding that the percent forage cellulose digested in vitro was signifi­ cantly correlated with total digestible nutrients, digestible dry matter -4and digestible energy determined in conventional digestion trials. The correlation between in vitro cellulose digestion and iji vivo digestible energy was highly significant (r = 0.85). Hershberger et al. (1959) found a correlation of 0.92 between cellulose digested iji vitro and the digest­ ible energy of the forage. Digestible protein was estimated in vitro by Baumgardt et al. (1962b). When the crude protein was known, the correlation between crude and di­ gestible protein was highly significant (r = 0.999). Pigden and Bell (1955) found that the artificial rumen procedure, when used with the proper regression equations, gave estimates of total digest­ ible nutrients; and that digestibility of crude protein from eleven forages was in close agreement with values derived from conventional digestion trials using sheep, Baumgardt elt al. (1962a) conducted research in which the in vitro fermentation of forage carbohydrate was measured. Estimates of total digestible nutrients were significantly correlated with conven­ tional digestibility data; however these estimates were consistently under­ estimated. High correlations between jn vitro and in vivo digestion indicate that in vitro fermentation has a definite value in estimating the nutritive value of forages. I . . ■ . . 1 Factors Affecting Cellulose Digestion Inoculum A method for the study of cellulose digestion by washed cell suspen­ sions was developed by Cheng et al. (1955). Washed suspensions of rumen -5microorganisms were sensitive enough to detect the effect of small amounts of unidentified factors stimulatory to cellulose degradation. Washed sus­ pensions were relatively free from any metabolic end products produced by microorganisms while still in the rumen. Church and Peterson (1960) noted that the amount of rumen liquor had appreciable influence on the extent of in vitro digestion of cellulose or dry matter. Marquardt and Asplund (1964) found that cellulose digestion increased as the volume of inoculum increased. Increased bacterial numbers ■ and additional nutrients possibly increased the rate of fermentation by decreasing the initial lag phase of growth and/or by increasing the rate of growth and metabolism during the logarithmic growth phase. Small changes in mineral medium concentrations had only negligible effect on in vitro digestion of dry matter and cellulose. Based on the composition of ruminant saliva, McDougall (1949) sug­ gested a mineral medium which adequately supported hi vitro digestion. Several variations of this media have been used and all support in vitro digestion. Marquardt and Asplund (1964) noted that unless the nqtrient medium in artificial rumen studies was completely adequate, standardization of inocula or, statistical dontrol was necessary. Cheng iet al. (1955) reported the optimum pH for cellulose digestion to be from 6.8 to 7.6. Rumen microorganisms exhibited a greater toler­ ance to a high pH than to a low pH. Church and Peterson (1960) concluded the optimum pH was 6.0 to 6,7; however the pH tended to vary according to substrate and/or source of rumen liquor. -6Burroughs et: a^. (1950a) noted that cattle and sheep fed rations of a widely varient nature indicated differences in the predominating types of rumen microorganisms. The same general type of organisms were present in each animal even though the predominating type was different. Minerals and vitamins Burroughs et_ al. (1950b) reported that rumen microorganisms have nutritional requirements which must be fulfilled if they are to digest roughage efficiently. It was suggested that these nutrients are found in ample quantities in certain good quality roughages and are inadequate in certain poor quality roughages. Cellulose digestion, using the in vitro technique, has shown needs for varying amounts of the .elements sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sulfur and chlorine. Burroughs et al. (1951) noted that iron and phosphorous found in the ashes of plants or plant products have a stimulatory effect upon cellulose digestion in vitro. Several workers have observed the effects of water extracts and ash of good and poor quality roughages. Marquardt (1964) noted that grass hay extract supported very poor cellulose digestion, even when it contained high levels of protein, ash, calcium and phosphorous. Comparable to other extracts, the high carbohydrate content may have suppressed cellulose digestion. Burroughs et Jd. (1950a) reported a beneficial influence of the ash of alfalfa upon roughage digestion which has been referred to in in vivo experiments. Bentley et a]L. (1951) provided evidence which indica­ ted that the low phosphorous content of the poor quality forage was a =7“ limiting factor in cellulose digestion ^n vitro. Hunt, ej: al, (1954) found that more cellulose was digested and more urea utilized when inoculum was i obtained from steers fed alfalfa hay than from steers fed poor quality hay. Marquardt (1964) showed that many of the nutrients required by rumen microorganisms for the fermentation of cellulose were present in aqueous extracts of forages; however phosphorous, sulfur and in some cases nitron gen were not present in adequate amounts. Burroughs et_ a2^. (1951) found that urea utilization like cellulose digestion was dependent to a large extent upon the nutrient requirements of rumen microorganisms. They suggested that a roughage was utilized most efficiently when each of the nutrient requirements was adequately supplied. Hunt et^ £l. (1954) observed that microorganisms which synthesize' riboflavin, niacin and vitamin also digest cellulose and utilize urea for protein synthesis have a sulfur requirement. Bentley ej: al,- . (1954) found that biotin, vitamin para~aminobemzoic acid, xanthine, uracil, guanine and adenine when added to the basal medium improved cellu­ lose digestion. The amount of cellulose digested was always less than that digested in flasks which contained rumen juice supernatant, a water extract of alfalfa, yeast, or molasses. This implied that there were factors in natural products which enhanced the microbial activity in in vitro fermentation. Hubbert et, al. (1958) found sulfur, magnesium and calcium to be the inorganic nutrients most likely to be deficient in a prepared fermentation medium. Extremely low levels of copper, cobalt, zinc and boron depressed cellulose digestion. ”8Vitamin Bg showed stimulatory activity in cellulose digestion accord­ ing to Macleod and Murray (1956). Carbohydrates A very important factor affecting cellulose digestibility is the amount and type of concentrate fed with the cellulose containing material. Head (1961) reported the main effect of concentrates was due to their con­ tent of starch, which lowered the digestibility of roughage. Head (1961) and el-Shazly (1961) reported that with low nitrogen containing cellulose substrates, the organisms digesting sugars or starch used all the available soluble nitrogen sources in the rumen liquor, thus starving the cellulolytic organisms of this nutrient. Mills ej: al. (1941) reported that when adequate fermentable carbohy­ drate was included in the ration, urea was utilized at a maximum rate and a maximum efficiency in the rumen of the cow. He suggested the carbohy­ drate served as a readily available energy source for the microorganisms enabling them to build new protoplasm in which the nitrogen from the urea was incorporated. Baker (1942) found that the addition of increasing amounts of starch to rumen contents incubated jri vitro resulted, in a parallel increase in the rate of multiplication of microorganisms of all types. Marston (1948) noted that in diets containing a high proportion of starch, the rate of proliferation of the microflora in the rumen was limited usually by the nitrogen supply. When additional nitrogen was provided, a large proportion was converted to protein. -9Arias et al0 (1951) found that increasing the energy content of the fermentation medium resulted in an increased urea utilization with all sources of energy tested. This was true whether the energy source was a soluable carbohydrate such as dextrose or sucrose, or whether the carbohy­ drate was more complex such as cellulose. It was also noted that rumen microorganisms have definite energy requirements and the degree to which these requirements are fulfilled has considerable influence upon their utilization of urea or other ammonia supplying compounds. Small amounts of readily available carbohydrate aided cellulose digestion which in turn increased urea utilization. Large amounts of readily available carbohy­ drate inhibited cellulose digestion. Hunt et al. (1954) supported Arias” work in that rumen microorganisms obtain their energy requirements from the more readily available source, instead of breaking down cellulose. Macleod and Murray (1956) noted that glucose stimulated cellulose digestion at a concentration of .05 percent to 2 percent. Decreased digestion was observed at higher concentrations of glucose. Cline et al., (1958) reported a greater synthesis of valeric acid from the more readily available carbohydrate. These workers offered this as an explanation for increased ^n vitro cellulose digestion observed by Arias et_ al. (1951) and Hunt £t al. (1954) with a 1:2 starch-cellulose mixture versus cellulose alone. ( Belascp (1956) found the optimum starch-cellulose ratio to be 1:4. Here urea utilization, cellulose digestion and volatile fatty acid pro­ duction reached a peak. The inclusion of large amounts of dextrose in­ hibited cellulose digestion. These data also supported Arias et. al. (1951) -10which showed a need for readily available carbohydrate in the proper pro­ portions, Salsbury (1961) found that if the proportion of readily avail­ able carbohydrate was too high it was doubtful that cellulose digestion could be maintained at a significant level. Johnson et aj^. (1960) noted that when the starch-cellulose ratio reached 1:1 or higher, cellulose digestion was completely or severely depressed, At higher ratios of starch to cellulose, both _in vivo and iri vitro cellulose digestion was completely inhibited and was not recovered by additional quantities of nitrogen. The effect of high levels of glucose was shown by Huhtanen and Elliot (1956). They postulated that the inhibitory effect of high levels of glucose may be explained on the basis of availability of energy sources for the rumen bacteria. If enough glucose was present, the organisms used it for a carbon source, rather than the less available cellulose, ,Kane et al. (1959) in a conventional digestion trial showed that high levels of corn starch had a depressing effect upon the digestion of alfalfa hay; however when a preliminary period for adjustment to corn starch was used, no depression in the digestion of alfalfa hay was observed. el-Shazly e£ al,„ (1961) proposed several theories to explain the de­ pression of cellulose digestion by starch in a ration. follows: These are as (I) production of an inhibitor by starch digesting microorgan­ isms, (2) decrease in rumen pH due to acids produced from starch fermenta­ tion, (3) competition for essential nutrients with the result that starch digesting microorganisms proliferate preferentially, (4) predominance of starch digesting microorganisms in the rumen of animals on high starch diets. -11Urea appeared to be the most efficient of all nitrogen supplements tested by el-Shazly in alleviating the depression of cellulose digestion caused by starch in a ration. The degree of lignification of cellulose is an important factor in cellulose digestion because the digestibility of cellulose is lowered by the presence of lignin. Head (1961)„ Sullivan (1955) reported that the percent lignin and the digestion coefficients of cellulose are correlated from -0.92 to -0.94. Percentage of lignin is significantly correlated with digestibility of all insoluble carbohydrates. Tomlin et. £l- (1965) found that as grasses and legumes matured the digestibility of cellulose decreased and lignin content increased. Gaillard (1962) noted a strong correlation between the digestibility of organic matter and the percentage crude fiber, percentage lignin and ; i percentage cellulose plus lignin.’ A decrease in digestibility of the plant was observed as the plant matured. Some evidence has been obtained that lignin itself is digestible under certain conditions. Kane et aJL (1951) observed the products of metabolism of the lignin molecule in ruminant urine. The amount of lignin actually digested was very small and no microorganisms capable of attacking lignin have been found. The grinding of feeds has been tried as a method of increasing digest­ ibility of cellulose. The expected effect of grinding is to increase total surface area ,and give bacteria more surface to attack. This has not proven -12too useful due to the fact that smaller particles pass through the digest­ ive system faster and lower digestibility rather than increase it, Dehority and Johnson (1961) found the total amount of cellulose digested increased with the time of ball-milling. Amount of forage cellu­ lose digested by rumen bacteria decreased with increasing maturity and lignification of the plant. The increase in Jji vitro cellulose digesti­ bility due to ball-milling became larger as the forage matured and lignin , deposition was increased. There was a basic difference in grasses and legumes in regard to amount of cellulose which could be digested per given amount of lignin in the plant. This evidence presented by Dehority and Johnson substantiated the theory that lignin in forages acts as a physical barrier between*the cellulose and cellulolytic rumen bacterial. . Enzymatic Starch Digestion Balls and Schwinmer (1944) found that grains of corn starch were more rapidly broken down than grains of wheat starch. more resistant to enzyme activity. Potato starch was much It was also noted that the size of the starch grains did not appear to be a limiting factor. Leach and Schoch (1961) explained that high linear corn starch is least affected by enzyme activity. They also observed that normal pea ■' : starch is attacked more rapidly than high linear starch from wrinkled peas; therefore the presence.of a linear fraction probably retards solubilization by enzymes. i According to Sandstedt (1955) when amylase acts on raw starch, the i enzyme enters at the narrow edge of the granule and following the path of -13least resistance digests its way into the granule. Sandstedt (1960) also ; V noted that starch which has been damaged will digest easier than undamaged starch granules. Enzymes do not penetrate freely into the molecular lattice of the granule, but are limited to certain accessible surfaces or regions, Leach and Schoch (1961). In Vitro Starch Digestion Moore et_ al. (1962) studied the use of the in vitro system of starch fermentation. A high speed centrifugal procedure was used to obtain the predominate rumen bacteria. * colorimetrically. Maximal starch fermentation was measured ' The difference between concentrations of anthrone re­ . active material in inoculated flasks at the time of inoculation, and after a period of incubation was taken as an index of fermentation. Maximal starch digestion occurred at about 12 hours which amounted to 90 percent of the added starch. Starch was added at the rate of 1.5 grams per 100 ml. of liquid. Loper jet Al. (1966) used a gravimetric technique to study starch digestion in vitro. A series of experiments based on washed cell suspen­ sions' of rumen microorganisms was conducted to develop an accurate, simpli­ fied technique. metrically. Starch remaining after fermentation was measured gravi- Results obtained by this method were highly correlated (r = 0.94) with the results using the anthrone procedure. was carried out at a pH of 6.8. Maximal starch digestion occurred at 12 hours, which amounted to 70 percent of the added starch. at the rate of 0i5 percent. The fermentation Starch was added -14There has been very limited work conducted on Jrt vitro starch diges­ tion. The foregoing literature on in vitro starch digestion studies is the only work reported. PROCEDURES General Procedures Barley varieties were selected on the basis of known or expected structural differences observed in laboratory analysis of their respective starches, Goering _et al. (1957) and Goering and Imsande (1960), Varieties selected were Compana, hulless Compana (Newpana), Betzes, Oderbrucker and Unitan, Corn starch was used as a standard for comparison since corn is a major source of carbohydrate in livestock rations, Milo and wheat starches were also included because wheat is being used in Montana live­ stock rations and milo is used extensively as a feed grain in other areas of the United States. Barley starch was separated from barley flour by Dr. K. J» Goering using the method of Dimler et^ al. (1944), Barley flour used in the above procedure was obtained from the Montana State University Cereal Quality Laboratory. Three trials were conducted to measure differences in the in vitro digestibility of starches from selected varieties of grain. amylopectin were included in one comparison. were employed in each trial. follows: Amylose and Identical in vitro procedures Starches compared in this study were as Trial I - corn, Compana, Oderbrucker, milo and wheat; Trial 2 - corn, Compana, Newpana, Betzes and Unitan and Trial 3 - corn, Compana, Newpana, amylose, and amylopectin. Residual starch was measured by the phenol-sulfuric acid, colorimetric method for hexoses described by Whistler (1962). The percent starch di­ gested was calculated using as the initial amount of starch the values -16obtained from control tubes in which bacterial action was not allowed to take place. Absorbances were measured on a Bausch and Lomb Spectronic 20. Fermentation vessels were analyzed for residual starch every 2 hours for a maximum of 12 hours. Blanks consisting of rumen liquor and nutrient media but without added starch were analyzed at zero time to correct for starch present in the rumen liquor. The phenol-sulfuric acid method was compared to the enthrone colori­ metric method described by Moore <2t al„ (1962) using corn starch as the substrate. Absorbance curves were prepared with a Beckman DK2 spectrophotometer to insure maximum absorbance for all substrates. A 3 x 5 x 6 factorial design was used in all trials as described by Li (1965). In Vitro Procedure Each experiment was initiated at 5:00 A.M. Rumen cdntents were ob­ tained from a three-year-old fistulated Hereford steer maintained on. ration consisting of 1/3 steam rolled barley, 1/3 dehydrated alfalfa pellets, and 1/3 beet pulp pellets with salt provided free choice. was fed this ration 10 days prior to the initial collection. The, steer Rumen con­ tents were collected and strained through four layers of cheese-cloth v ; r• if mil into a 39° C. prewarmed thermos. Rumen liquor was then centrifuged at 2,000 x G for 20 minutes using an international size 2 centrifuge. The supernatant was mixed with pre-warmed (39° C.) carbon dioxide saturated nutrient medium at a rate of 3 parts rumen liquor to 4 parts nutrient -17medium. The composition of the nutrient medium used is as follows; KHgPO^ 0.600 gm/liter NaCl 4.00 NagHPO^ 1.600 gm/liter FeSO^./HgO 0.075 gm/liter NaHCOg 3.500 gm/liter CaCl, 0.550 gm/liter KCl 4.00 Urea 2.000 gm/liter gm/liter gm/liter Carbon dioxide was bubbled through the mixture for 10 minutes and the pH adjusted to 6.8» Fifty ml. of rumen liquor and nutrient medium was added to 100 ml. fermentation vessels which were fitted with rubber stop­ pers containing inlet and outlet glass tubing for the introduction of carbon dioxide. Starch was added at the rate of 0.5 percent or 250 mg. starch per fermentation vessel. Blank vessels containing no added starch were included to correct for starch added via the rumen liquor. tion vessels were placed in a 39° C. water bath. Fermenta­ Carbon dioxide was bubbled through the tubes slow enough to prevent excessive splashing. Fermentations were carried out for a maximum of 12 hours. Measurement of Starch Fermentation Phenol-sulfuric acid procedure One ml. of unknown containing between 20 and 50 ug. substrate was pipetted into a colorimetric tube. One ml. of 5 percent distilled phenol solution was added and contents mixed. acid were added to each tube. Five ml. concentrated sulfuric Each tube was agitated during acid addition. After standing 10 minutes, tubes were shaken apd placed in a 25-30° C. water bath for 20 minutes. Absorbances were measured at 490 mu. After subtracting the absorbances of the blank, the amount of sugar was deter\ -18mined from a standard curve prepared from corn starch. Anthrone colorimetric method Ten ml. of enthrone reagent in a series of test tubes were immersed in a cold water bath (10-15° C.) and carefully overlayed with 5 ml. of sample containing from 20-40 ug./ml. of starch. After the addition of starch was made, the tubes were agitated and replaced in the cold water bath. When the series was completed the tubes were heated for 16 minutes in a boiling water bath and then cooled. Absorbances were read at 625 mu. and after subtracting the absorbances of the blank, the amount of sugar was determined from a standard curve prepared from corn starch. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Trials I, II and III The pertinent data of Trials I , II and III showing the percent diges­ tion for the 5 substrates every 2 hours on each of 3 days are given in Tables I , III and V respectively. Analysis of variance of the data for the respective trials are given in Tables II, IV and VI. Analysis of this data revealed considerable variance and several highly significant interactions in all trials. All interactions excluding hours x variety for Trials I and II were highly significant (P<^. 01). The hours x variety interaction was significant (P<^.05) for trial III. Since the subsequent digestion rates of the substrates were significantly different (P<^.05) and the hours x variety interaction was not significant, some general inferences can be made concerning the differences in digestibilities of the starches. In Trial I, Oderbrucker starch was digested significantly faster (P<^.01) or equal to corn starch and the other starches. Oderbrucker digested significantly slower. In no case was In most instances wheat and milo starch were digested slower than corn starch; however on day I wheat tended to digest faster than corn starch. Digestion of all substrates was very rapid on day 3 of Trial I; therefore it is difficult to detect any real differences. On days I and 3 at the end of 12 hours fermentation, the percent digestion had exceeded 95 percent. digestion was approached at 12 hours. On day 2, 90 percent Replications were highly significant (P<%01) for Trial I indicating that the reproducibility of measuring residual starch in the triplicate fermentation vessels was unsatisfactory. -20“ Percent Digestion I/ Hours Day I Corn Oderbrucker Compana 18, Oa 17.7* 17.9* 18,5* 12.6b 4 37„8a 36.1* 36.3* 36.8* 30.7b 6 4 8 .7 * 60.4C 55.5b 50.7* 52.8b 8 72.9d 87,5C 67.2b a 86.5 80.6* C 93.4 10 88.6 94.0C 79.6* be 9 2 .9 12 99.2a 99.3* 99.4* 99.0* 99.1* 19.0C 18.3C 12.6b 8,0* 2 Day 3 Wheat 2 ab Day 2 Milo 9-6ab 4 40.6C 36.5bc 33.5*b 31.2* 22,5d 6 44.7C 40.7bc 41.5bc 38.2*b 35.9* 8 60.Oab 63.5b 56.4* 56.3* 50. Oc 10 7 8 . Q3b 84.2° 80.0bC 7 5 .3 * 7 8 . 5 ab 12 90.2ab 92. Ib 89,9*b 8 6 .3 * 92.4b 2 3 7 .2 * 43.3b 43. Ib 33.6* 3 7 .7 * 4 77.5b . 75.5*b 77.8b 71.7* 76.6b 6 9 3 .7 * 91,9a 93.7* 93.0* 91.4* 8 95.4* 96.0* 95.9* 95.6* 94.0* 10 9 5 .8 * 9 5 .2 * 9 5 .7 * 95. I* 95.0* 12 97.5* 96.9* 97.0* 97.1* 96.9* JL/ Values expressed are an average of 3 replications, a, b, c, d Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P<JJ»01) as determined by Duncan’s multiple range test. -21= TABLE.II„ ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN TRIAL I (CORN„ ODERBRUCKER. COMPANA. MILO. WHEAT), Source D.F. S .S . M.S. F. Replication 2 66.05 33.03 8.00** Days 2 42,696.55 21,348.28 5,172,80** Hours 5 164,648.65 32,929.73 20.72** Variety 4 8913.14 223.29 10 15,891.69 1,589.17 385.06** 8 409.53 51.19 12.40** Hours x Variety 20 620.63 31.03 1.06 Days x Hours x Variety 40 1,168.82 29.22 7.08** 178 734.66 4.13 269 227,129.72 Days x Hours Days x Variety Error TOTAL * ** 4.36* P <.05 P <. Ol It can be seen from the data of Trial II presented in Table III and from the analysis of variance (Table IV) that there were large variations and highly significant interactions; however the hours x variety inter­ action was considerably smaller than in Trial I „ In Trial TI corn starch was digested significantly faster ( P 01) or equal to the other starches in all but one instance. On day 2 at 2 hours, Unitan and Newpana were digested significantly faster (P-<% 01). Unitan starch was digested signif icantly slower (P<^.01) or equal to the other starches; however on day 2 at 2 hours Unitan was digested significantly faster than Betzess Compana or corn starch. Compana, Newpana and Betzes starch were intermediate between corn starch and Unitan; however it is difficult to determine how they did compare because of day to day and hour to hour variation. At the -22- Percent Digestion JL/ Day I Hours Corn Compana Newpana 2 16,6b 9.4* 4 22.9b 6 Unitan 6.4* 7.2* 9.0* 18.6*b 15.5* 18.7*b 9.5* 48.6b 37.03 33.9* 3 3 .9 * 11. oc 8 65.2b 5 9 .6 * 57.2* 58,6* 34.4* 10 8 3 .6 * 83.8* 81.4* 80.3* 70.7b 12 96. Ob 95.3ab 94.9ab 94.4*b 91.0* 14.8c d > O rCM T—4 Betzes 18.5d .a 16.4 20.6 41,3b 37.4ab 33.3* 50.6*b 4 8 .3 * 5 3 . 7 bC 4 8 .5 * 80.2b 74.7* 71.4* 73.5* 6 2 .2 * 12 9 2 . 6b 8 9 .5 * 89. Oa 8 9 .8 * 83.8* 2 17.4d 3.1* 9 .4 * 4 22.4b 23. Ob 1 9 .7 * b 21» 2*b 17.4* 6 36,2bc 3 7 .7 * 31.6*b 32.Iab 2 9 .8 * 8 4 9 .4 * 4 6 .8 * 4 6 .9 * 4 7 .7 * 4 7 .7 * 10 66.0* 67.8a 65.7* 67.3* 66.4* 12 86.9bc 90.8* 83.9ab 84.3ab 8 2 .2 * 2 Day 2 Day 3 \J 8 . 7 ab b 7 .2 * 23.1 b 4 21.8 6 39.7b 33.8* 8 58.1C 10 8,8bc 23.7 b ab 4 .2 * b Values expressed are an average of 3 replications, a, b, c, d Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P\,01) as determined by Duncan's multiple range test. -23end of 12 hour fermentations in almost all cases the substrates reached 90 percent digestibility. It should be noted that replications were not significantly different in Trial II. TABLE IV, ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN TRIAL II (CORN. COMPANA . NEWPANA, BETZES„ UNITAN). Source D.F. S.S. M.S. F. Replications 2 3.63 1.81 .4267 Days 2 988.57 494.28 116.25** Hours 5 213,830.98 42 ,766.20 244,67** Variety 4 2,631.77 657.94 4.30* 10 1,747.93 174.79 41.11** 8 1,224.45 153.06 36.00** Hours x Variety 20 894.66 44.73 .8147 Days x Hours x Variety 40 2,196.05 54.90 12.91** 178 756.81 4.25 269 224,274.85 Days x Hours Days x Variety Error TOTAL '** po Qi The analysis of variance (Table VI) and the data from Table V show that for Trial III there were again large variations and highly signifi­ cant interactions. Unlike Trials I and II, the hours x variety inter­ action was significant (P<^.05) indicating that the substrates did not digest in the same manner at the different hours. Due to the fact that all interactions were significant, general conclusions cannot be made; however from an inspection of the data there are obvious differences, namely amylopectin and amylose digestion. In all cases amylopectin -24TABLE V. PERCENT DIGESTION OF SUBSTRATES IN TRIAL III. Percent Digestion _1/ Hours Corn 2 11,4 Compana a 11.3 4 2 5 .8 * 2 3 .9 * 6 41.8* 8 a Day I Day 2 Day 3 Newpana 9 .9 Amylopectin Amylose b a b 18.9 20.1 2 4 .1 * 5 6 .7 * 42. Ob 39.8* 3 6 .7 * 75.1C 5 7 . 4b 55.9* 53.6* 56.5* 86.1C 74.4b 10 70.3* 68.1* 71.5* 90.7C 78.6 12 89.6b 91.4b 88.2*b 92,5 2 13.4* 16.2* 18.9* 57. Oc 31.6b 4 24.0* 24.3* 2 2 .7 * 90. Ic 49.9b 6 45.6* 51.0® 4 9 .5 * 95.8* 64.4b 8 81.Oab 83.3b 76.3® 96. Ic 66. Od 10 9 3 .9 * 9 5 .9 * 9 4 .1 * 98.1* 7 9 .7 b 12 9 7 .0 * 98.1* 9 7 .1 * 98.7* 84.2b 2 3 9 .3 * 3 8 .7 * 2 9 .3 * 45.7b 4 2 .5 * b 4 7 6 .9 * 7 5 .8 * 7 4 .6 * 91.5* 48.9b 6 9 5 .9 * 94.9* 9 2 ,9 * ^ 9 5 .7 * 7 7 . 3b 8 9 7 .7 * 98.2* 9 7 .9 * 97.4* 82.2b 10 99.0* 99.1* 9 9 .1 * 9 8 .8 * 86.Ob 12 9 9 .0 * 99.1® ' 99.2* 98.9* 90.6b b b . 8 3 .4 * _!/ Values, expressed are an average of 3 replications, a, b, c, d Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P<<,01) as determined by Duncan’s multiple range test. -25digested significantly faster (P<^„01) or equal to the other substrates. On day I amylose digested significantly faster (P<^.01) than corn, Gompana or Newpana; however at 12 hours amylose was significantly slower (P<^01) than corn, Gompana and amylopectin. On day 2 amylose digested significant= Iy faster (P<^.01) than corn, Compana or Newpana at 2, 4 and 6 hours; how­ ever at 8, 10 and 12 hours amylose was significantly slower (P<^01). On day 3 amylose digested faster at 2 hours but beyond 2 hours amylose diges­ ted slower than the other substrates. As in Trials I and II, digestion was either greater than or approached 90 percent at the end of 12 hours fermentation. TABLE VI. Replications were again non-significant as in Trial II. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF PERCENT DIGESTION FOR STARCHES IN NEWPANA, Source D.F. S.S. M.S. F. I. Replications 2 18.82 9.41 Days 2 33,775.36 16,887.68 2 ,3 1 7 .2 d * * Hours 5 145,119.51 29,023.90 3 5 .5 7 * * Variety 4 14,605.97 3,651.49 10 8,159.56 815.96 1 1 1 .9 6 * * Days x Variety 8 7,100.47 887.56 1 2 1 .7 9 * * Hours x Variety 20 7,226.75 361.34 1 .9 4 * ' Days x Hours x Variety 40 7,456.57 186.41 2 5 .5 8 * * 178 1,297.21 7.29 269 224,760.22 Days x Hours Error TOTAL *■ P <.05 ** P < Ol 1.29 4 .1 0 * ' -26The results of these trials indicate that if the digestibility of - starches is to be compared by the in vitro method, improved techniques must be employed. It became evident as the trials progressed that an improved inoculum should be tried which would contain a more representative starch digesting bacterial population. Strained, centrifuged rumen liquor as used in these studies probably contained many types and strains of bacteria plus enzymes which would digest starch. Moore et al, (1962) used a differential centri­ fugation to prepare a bacterial sediment that was microscopically representative of the mixed culture found in the whole rumen fluid of sheep. Loper et al. (1966) used a washed cell suspension following the method of Cheng et'al. (1955) to obtain a predominate bacterial population. An in­ oculum similar to that used by Moore and Loper could possibly eliminate some of the variability due to abnormal bacterial, populations. however many factors which affect the bacterial populations. There are Johnson (1963) reported that numbers' of species and types of microorganisms which digest starch in -the rumen are considerably greater than for cellulose. This is complicated further by the fact that inoculum taken from a given animal on a standard starch ration may differ from day. to day in predomin­ ating species of microorganisms. in the amylolytic flora of sheep. Moore et al. (1962) noted the variability Variability in the microflora within the animal can be a result of rumen volume, Purser and Moir (1966a) and ■Purser and Moir (1966b), or ration characteristics, Christiansen et' al,. (1964) . By providing the donor animal with a constant ration and sampling at # constant time after feeding variability in microflora can be reduced. -27Structural differences between starches should be examined when com­ paring differences in starch digestion. A microscopic examination can be made to determine differences in granular size and shape. It has been reported that structural differences affect starch breakdown. Baker et al. (1950) noted a distinct difference between maize starch and potato starch when they were subjected to jin vivo digestion by oxen. Goering _et al. (1957) reported that the amylose content of 44 different barley varieties varied from 13 to 24 percent. Leach and Schoch (1951) found that high linear corn starch (i.e. corn starch with a high percentage of amylose) is least affected by bacterial enzyme activity. Harris (1962) and Greenwood (1964) stated that starch granules in general contain more amylopectin than amylose. These authors imply that starches with a high percentage of amylopectin will digest faster than those starches with a high percentage of anylose. In Trial III, amylopectin digested faster than amylose, indi­ cating that a high linear barley starch may digest slower. If starches with high percentages of amylopectin repeatedly digest faster than high linear starches, then it may be possible that starches can be ranked in regard to digestibility by their percentages of amylopectin and amylose. Phenol-Sulfuric Acid ~ Anthrone Comparison The data for the comparison of the phenol-sulfuric acid and enthrone procedures is shown.in Table VII, There was a highly significant cor­ relation (r = 0.99) between the two methods. The percentage of residual starch measured was comparable except at the 2 and 4 hour determinations. These results indicate the phenol-sulfuric acid method used in this study -28was equivalent to the enthrone method employed by Moore ejt aL. (1962). TABLE VII. COMPARISON BETWEEN THE ANTHRONE METHOD AND THE PHENOL-SULFURIC ACID METHOD USING CORN STARCH ON DAY 3 TRIAL III, Percent Digestion Hours Anthrone PhenolSulfuric Acid 2 29.9 27.9 29.2 37.0 38.0 36.5 4 84.1 82.7 82.6 6 92,8 91,8 93,0 93.7 93.2 94.2 8 98,0 97.8 97,6 95.3 95.4 95.4 10 98.9 99.2 99.2 95.8 95.9 95.8 12 98.9 98.6 98.1 97.4 97.6 97.7 u 77.1 78.5 77.0 r = ,99 The phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method has worked very well in the trials reported in this manuscript, Dubois et al, (1956) observed that the phenol-sulfuric acid procedure was simple, rapid and sensitive and gave reproducible results. The reagent is inexpensive and stable and a given solution requires only one standard curve for each sugar. There are several inherent problems in the enthrone procedure used by -29Moo re £t al^ (1962)„ The concentration of acid in the reagent and the manner in which the reagent and test solution are brought together deter­ mine the nature and intensity of the color developed, Johanson (1954). Morris (1948) described some of the problems associated with the enthrone procedure. These are as follows: (I) the reagent is difficult to prepare, (2) if cooling is produced before the reaction is finished, error can be introduced, (3) a known sugar standard must be run with each series of X unknowns, (4) fresh reagent must be prepared daily and (5) aging of the reagent causes a color change. Moore at al. (1962) using the enthrone procedure recovered 130 it 5.7 percent of the added starch. Using the phenol-sulfuric acid method in this laboratory the recovery of added starch was 109 i 6„5 percent (Table VIII). With the evidence presented the phenol-sulfuric acid procedure because of simplicity can be used in preference to the anthrone method for estimating in vitro starch digestion. TABLE VIII0 PERCENT RECOVERY OF ADDED STARCH FOR TRIALS I. II. III0 Day 2 Day 3 Day I Day I Day 2 Day 3 Day I Trial II Trial II Trial II Trial III Trial I Trial I Trial I Day 2 Trial III Day 3 Trial III 108.7 113.3 108.2 112.8 108.6 112.8 110.1 110.2 112.2 113.6 118.0 106.0 112.6 113.9 110.1 112.8 107.7 107.4 113.6 117,8 103.2 112.8 115.9 112.9 115.3 107.6 109.8 113.7 117.7 108.2 112.4 108.4 112.6 107.6 112.5 107.2 113.7 117.9 105.8 102.8 108.4 110.1 110.1 105.1 109.9 118.6 106.8 110.6 105.3 106.1 105.1 112.9 107.6 109.6 108.7 117.7 115.8 102.6 108.6 110.1 115.3 110.0 102.3 118.8 113.3 113.5 107.7 108.4 107.6 112.7 110.0 107.1 113.8 . 113.3 110.6 102.6 108.4 107.9 107.7 105.0 104.7 108.7 113.3 105.7 108.1 113.3 112.7 105.4 105.2 107.2 118.6 113.4 103.2 102.9 108.5 107.6 107.8 . 107.4 107.5 113.9 113.4 105.7 102.6 106.0 110.1 112.9 107.6 112.3 118.8 113.2 103.3 77.9 108.4 102.9 112.7 112.5 112.3 113.8 113.4 105.9 72.7 103.5 102.7 110.1 105.1 105.0 113.8 117.7 108.4 77.7 106.0 105.3 107.6 107.6 107.3 Mean 109.0. Standard Deviation 6.5. / SUMMARY Three jin vitro digestion trials were conducted comparing 5 barleystarches (Oderbrucker, Compana, Newpana, Betzes and Unitan) corn starch, milo starch, wheat starch, amylose and amyIopectin0 Within each trial substrates were subjected to digestion on each of 3 different days. The phenol-sulfuric acid method of starch hydrolysis was used to measure residual starch in the fermentation vessels every 2 hours up to 12 hours. The phenol-sulfuric acid and enthrone procedures were compared to determine if the phenol-sulfuric acid method was comparable to the anthrone method of-Moore _et al, (1962)„ In Trial I the starches of corn, Odepbrucker, Compana, milo and wheat were compared, Oderbrucker starch was digested significantly faster (P<^,01) or equal to corn starch and the other starches. Oderbrucker digested significantly slower. In no case was In most instances wheat and milo starch were digested slower than corn starch; however on day I wheat tended to digest faster than corn starch. In Trial II the starches of corn, Compana, Newpana, Betzes and Unitan were compared. Corn starch digested significantly faster (P<^,01) or /( equal to the other starches in all but one instance. On day 2 at 2 hours ' Unitan and Newpana were digested significantly faster (P<\ 01). Unitan starch digested significantly slower (P<^.01) or equal to the other starches; except on day 2 at 2 hours Unitan was digested significantly faster than Betzes, Compana or corn. In Trial III corn starch, Compana starch, Newpana starch, amylopectin . and amylose were compared, Amylopeetin digested significantly faster (P<^.01) or equal to the other substrates. On day I amylose digested -32significant Iy faster (P<%01) than corn, Compana or Newpana; however at 12 hours amylose was significantly slower than corn, Compana or amylopectin. Amylose tended to digest faster than the other substrates at the start of the fermentation period. At the end of the period amylose was digested slower than the other substrates. In all trials at the end of the fermentation period digestion was either greater than or approached 90 percent. All interactions excluding hours x variety for Trials I and II were highly significant. Hours x variety was significant (P<'.05) for Trial III. There was a highly significant correlation (r = .99) between the enthrone method and the phenol-sulfuric acid method. This indicates that the two methods are comparable. Some differences in starch digestion have been indicated from these i •. trials. , In order to more effectively compare differences between starches, improved techniques must be employed to eliminate the variability which was encountered. v . ' ... - ' . ■ . . ,V APPENDIX -34APPENDIX TABLE I, PERCENT DIGESTION — THREE DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIALS ___________________ I a II. III.______________________________________ Percent Digestion \J Trial I Hours Corn Oderbrucker Compana 2 21.6* 26.7b 4 52.0C 6 Milo Wheat 26,4b 21.6* 19.4* 49.4bc 49.2bc 46.6*b 43.2* 62.4ab 64.3b 63.6*b 60.6*b 60.0* 8 76.1* 82.3b 77.3* 73.0* 74.9* 10 87.5*b 91.Ib 89.5*b 85.6* 89,Oab 12 95.6* 96.1* 95.4* 94.1* 96.2* Compana Newpana Betzes Unitan Hours Trial II Corn 2 14.2b 8.5* 8.1* 9. Sab 10,6*b 4 22.4b 21.6b 19.6ab 18.7ab 15.8* 6 41.5b 36.2* 35.6* 34.4* 24.7C 8 57.6b 52.4* 50,8* 53.3*b 43.5C 10 76.6* 75.5* 72.9* 73.7* 66.4b 12 91.8b 91.9b 89.2ab 89.5*b 85.7* -35APPENDIX TABLE I, Trial III Continued. Hours Corn > Compana Newpana Amylopectin Amylose 2 21.4* 22.1* 19.4* 40.5* 31.4b 4 42.2ab 41.3*b 40.4® 79.4* 46.9b 6 61.Iab 61.9ab 59.7* 88.9C 66,4b 8 78.2® 78.3® 76.9® 93.4b 74.2* 10 87.7* 87.7* 88.2* 95.9C 81.4b 12 95.2* 96.2* 94.8* 96.7* 86, Ib _!/ Values expressed are an average of 3 replications on each of 3 days. a, b, c Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P<^.01) as determined by Duncan's multiple range test. \ -36APPENDIX TABLE II0 __________________ TWO-WAY TABLE SHOWING DAYS X VARIETY INTERACTION FOR TRIALS I, II0 III.______________________________ ' Percent Digestion _/ Corn Trial I Trial II Trial III Oderbrucker Compana Milo Wheat Day I 60.9ab 65.8d 63.6C 59.8* 61.5b Day 2 53.8* 56. Od 53.3* 50.Oc 47.9b Day 3 82.8* _ - _a 81.0 ^ab 81.9 ahc 83.1 be 83.9 C Corn Compana Newpana Day I 55.5d 50.6b 48.2* 48.8*b 37.6C Day 2 50.2b 46.5* 48.1* 47.2* 44.5C Day 3 46.A c 45.8= 40.2* 43.7b 41.3* Corn Compana Newpana Amylopectin Amvlose Day I 49.1* 48.0* 47.8* 70. Ob 59.3C Day 2 59.2* 61.5*b 59.7* 89.3C 62.6b Day 3 84.6b 84.3*b 82.2* 86.3b 71.2C Betzes Unitan Values expressed are an average of 3 replications on each of the 6 time periods. . a, b, c, d Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P<%01) as determined by Duncan’s multiple range test. I/ -37APPENDIX TABLE III. . TWO-WAY TABLE SHOWING HOURS X DAY INTERACTION FOR ____________ TRIALS I. II. III.__________ £____________________ Percent Digestion I^f Trial I 2 4 6 8 10 Day I 16.9C 35.5= 53.6= 77.6= 91.1= 99.2= Day 2 13.5b 32.9b 40.2b 57.2b 79,2b 90.2b Day 3 39. Oa 75.8a 92.7a 95.4a 95.4a 97.Ia Day I 9.7^ 17. Oa 32.9b 55.0= 80.0= 94.3= b „ ,b 72.4 „b 88.9 / Trial II Trial III Day 2 .a 12.4 21.1 a b 37.1 , 51.8 12 20.7b 33.5b 47.7* 66.6a 85,6* 14.3C 34.5C ' 50.2C 65.3° 75.8C 89. Ob Day 2 27.4b 42.2b 61.3b 8 0 .5 b 92.3b 95. Oa Day 3 39. Ia 73.5a 91.3a 94.7a 96.4a 97.4a Day 3 8.6b Day I Values expressed are an average of 3 replications for each of the 5 substrates. a, b, c Means on the same line bearing different superscript letters are significantly different (P<^01) as determined by Duncan's multiple rangfe test. If -38- IOO- 90- Corn Starch Oderbrucker Starch Compana Starch MHo Starch Wheat Starch 8070TJ 0) CO CD 0) GO50 2 o (/) 4 0 3020 - I O- 4 6 8 IO Hours Fermentation APPENDIX FIGURE I 12 PERCENT DIGESTION--THREE DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL I -39- IOOC o r z ? Starch Compana Starch Newpana Starch Unitan Starch Betzes Starch 90 80 70 *0 0 4(/) 60 Q) U> Q 50 x: o v 0 40 0) 30 20 I IO 2 APPENDIX FIGURE 2 4 6 8 IO Hours F er mentati on 12 PERCENT DIGESTION--THREE DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL II. -40- Corn Starch Compana Starch Newpana Starch Amytopectin Amytose IOO- 9 0 80 — 7 0 "0 0) </> 0) gi O 4- _c 2 o S 60 — 5 0 4 0 3 0 20 - IO- 2 APPENDIX FIGURE 3. 4 6 8 IO Hours Fermentation 12 PERCENT DIGESTION--THREE DAY AVERAGE FOR TRIAL III. -41- ioo90 80 TO­ GO 5 0 - Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Anfhrone 4-0 3 0 20 - IO - 4 6 8 IO Hours Fermentation APPENDIX FIGURE 4. PERCENT DIGESTION--COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PHENOLSULFURIC ACID METHOD AND THE ANTHRONE METHOD. LITERATURE CITED Arias, C,, W. Burroughs, P= Gerlaugh and R= M, Bethke„ 1951= The influ­ ence of different amounts and sources of energy upon in vitro urea utilization by rumen microorganisms, J. Animal Sci= 10:683", Baker, F= 1942. 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