Premium
Chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradability of fresh and ensiled amaranth forage
Author(s) -
Seguin Philippe,
Mustafa Arif F,
Donnelly Danielle J,
Gélinas Bruce
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6218
Subject(s) - amaranth , forage , ruminant , silage , rumen , oxalate , cultivar , agronomy , composition (language) , chemical composition , chemistry , biology , zoology , crop , food science , fermentation , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND Amaranth is a crop with potential as a source of forage for ruminants that has not been well characterized. A study was conducted to determine the impact of ensiling on the nutritional quality and ruminal degradability of forage from two amaranth cultivars adapted to North America (i.e. Plainsman and D136 ). In particular, quantification and some microscopic characterization of oxalate found in amaranth were performed as it is an antiquality compound of concern.RESULTS There were limited interactions between cultivars and ensiling for most variables. Differences in chemical composition between amaranth cultivars were also limited. Ensiling reduced non‐structural carbohydrate and true protein contents. The proportion of acid detergent protein was high in fresh and ensiled forages of both cultivars (average of 177 g kg −1 crude protein). Total oxalate content averaged 30 and 25 g kg ‐1 in fresh and ensiled forages respectively. Ensiling reduced soluble oxalate content. Crystals observed in amaranth were calcium oxalate druses found mostly in idioblast cells in leaf mesophyll and parenchyma of primary and secondary veins. In situ ruminal degradability data indicated that both fresh and ensiled amaranth are highly degradable in the rumen.CONCLUSION This study confirms that amaranth is a suitable forage for ruminant animals. Its chemical composition is comparable, for most variables, to that of other commonly used forage species. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry