Using vibrational ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometrics to reveal faba CHO molecular spectral profile and CHO nutritional features in ruminant systems.

The non-invasive spectroscopic technique is capable to detect the biomolecular structure spectral features that are associated with biological, nutritional and biodegradation functions. However, to date, no research has been reported on alteration of bioactive compounds/carbohydrate traits on physiochemical and structure spectral characteristics in faba pulse seeds. The objective of this study was to use non-invasive ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with uni- and multivariate analyses to reveal faba [VLF: VLF-1 = CDC snowdrop with low tannin and VLF-2 = FB9-4 with high tannin] CHO molecular spectral profile and CHO nutritional features in ruminant systems. The carbohydrates related major molecular spectral bands included: STCHO (structural carbohydrates, peaks area region and baseline: ca. 1482-1185 cm-1), CELC (cellulosic compounds, peak area centered at ca. 1238 cm-1 with region and baseline 1272-1185 cm-1), TCHO (total carbohydrates, peaks area region and baseline: ca. 1186-939 cm-1) with three peaks in the region centered at ca. 1147, 1075 and 1012 cm-1, respectively. The results showed that the high tannin VLF variety VLF-2 had the higher (P < 0.05) peak heights for both STCHO second and third peaks as well as the area of entire STCHO region than low tannin variety VLF-1. Similarly the peak height and area of cellulosic compounds were also higher (P < 0.05) in VLF-2 than VLF-1. Regarding the total carbohydrates spectral profiles, the height and area of all three peaks along with area of entire TCHO region were higher (P < 0.05) in VLF-2 than VLF-1 except the area of TCHO first peak. The multivariate molecular spectral analyses were also able to distinguish between VLF-1 and VLF-2 spectra almost in all respective region. The results of this study indicated that carbohydrates molecular nutrition and structure profiles differed between VLF varieties. This study showed that the alteration of internal traits by modern breeding technology impact molecular nutrition and molecular structure. Vibrational ATR-FTIR spectroscopy could be used as a potential rapid tool to evaluate impact of alternation of carbohydrate on interactive relationship between the molecular structures and nutrient supply and metabolism of carbohydrates in ruminant systems.

Detect molecular spectral features of newly developed Vicia faba varieties and protein metabolic characteristics in ruminant system using advanced synchrotron radiation based infrared microspectroscopy: A preliminary study.

Recently, advanced synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-IMS) has been developed as a rapid, direct, non-destructive and bioanalytical technique. To date, there has been very little application of this technique to study the molecular structure make-up in pulse seeds. Thus, the objectives of this study were to detect the interactive association between protein molecular structure and nutrient availability of newly developed Vicia faba varieties. Two different varieties of faba beans (CDC Snowdrop = low-tannin variety; vs. FB9-4 = high-tannin variety) were selected for this study. The molecular spectra data were collected by using SR-IMS. The ratio of both amide I to II area and height were higher (P < 0.01), while the ratio of α-helix to ß-sheet was lower (P < 0.05) in CDC Snowdrop compared to FB9-4. The crude protein (CP) content and the predicted truly digestible nutrients as well as the bioenergy values did not vary between two varieties. The CDC Snowdrop had exhibited a higher (P < 0.01) rapidly degradable CP fraction (75.99 vs. 71.45% on CP) and a lower (P < 0.01) moderately degradable CP fraction (19.43 vs. 22.85% on CP), resulting in a higher (P < 0.01) rumen degradable protein and a lower (P < 0.01) rumen undegradable protein content than that of FB9-4 variety. However, the total supply of digestible rumen undegraded feed protein was higher (P < 0.05) in FB9-4 than CDC Snowdrop. Strong positive correlations were found between the ratio of α-helix to ß-sheet and CP contents (R = 0.86, P < 0.01) as well as the truly digestible CP contents (R = 0.83, P < 0.01); respectively. In conclusion, the results of this study reveal that the protein are metabolized differently between different type of faba bean varieties and the advanced SR-IMS molecular spectroscopy can be used to rapidly delineate protein molecular structure motifs along with their nutritive value in ruminant livestock system.

Determine effect of pressure heating on carbohydrate related molecular structures in association with carbohydrate metabolic profiles of cool-climate chickpeas using Globar spectroscopy.

Grain has been heat-processed to alter rumen degradation characteristics and improve nutrient availabilities for ruminants. However, limited study was found on internal structure changes induced by processing on a molecular basis. The objectives of this study were to use advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy to: (1) determine the processing induced carbohydrate (CHO) structure changes on a molecular basis, (2) investigate the effect of pressure heating on changes of CHO chemical profiles, CHO subfractions in cool-climate CDC Chickpea varieties, and (3) to reveal the association between carbohydrates related molecular spectra with carbohydrate metabolic profiles. The cool-climate CDC chickpea varieties with multisource were pressure heated in an autoclave at 120 °C for 60 min; and FTIR vibrational spectroscopy was used to detect the molecular spectra. Molecular spectroscopic results showed that compared to raw chickpea varieties, autoclave heating induced changes in both total CHO (region and baseline ca. 1186-946 cm-1) and structural CHO (STCHO, region and baseline ca. 1482-1186 cm-1), except for cellulosic compounds (CELC, region and baseline ca. 1374-1212 cm-1). The CHO chemical profile and rumen degradation results showed that autoclave heating decreased rumen degradable, undegradable and intestinal digestible sugar (CA4) content, but increased available fiber (CB3) content, without affecting available energy of chickpeas. The changes of CHO molecular spectra in chickpea varieties were strongly correlated with CHO chemical profiles, CHO subfractions, and CHO rumen degradation characteristics. Moreover, the regression analysis showed that STCHO peak 1 height could be used to predict sugar content, its rumen degradability and digestibility of chickpeas. Our results suggest that autoclave heating markedly changes sugar and fiber degradation characteristics. The carbohydrate molecular spectral profiles are associated with carbohydrate metabolic profiles in raw and pressure heated cool-climate chickpeas.