Premium
Dry matter yield, chemical composition and estimated extractable protein of legume and grass species during the spring growth
Author(s) -
Solati Zeinab,
Jørgensen Uffe,
Eriksen Jørgen,
Søegaard Karen
Publication year - 2017
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.8258
Subject(s) - dry matter , red clover , biorefinery , legume , yield (engineering) , biology , composition (language) , agronomy , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , biofuel , linguistics , philosophy , materials science , metallurgy
BACKGROUND Knowledge of the variation of extractable protein amount in legumes and grasses as affected by harvest time is important for identifying optimal combinations to enable a high protein production in a biorefinery. The extractability of protein was estimated using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System across six harvests during the spring growth. RESULTS The estimated extractable protein [g kg −1 dry matter ( DM )] defined as the easily available fractions B 1 + B 2 was significantly higher in white clover and lucerne at all harvests while, if the more cell wall attached fraction B 3 can be extracted, white clover had the highest extractable protein amongst all species. Total yield of B 1 + B 2 per ha was higher in white clover and red clover at the early growth while B 1 + B 2 + B 3 was by far the highest for red clover through all harvests. CONCLUSION White clover could be a good candidate for protein production purpose in a biorefinery due to its high extractable protein content per kg DM . In order to maximise the protein production capacity, harvest should take place during early growth due to a decline in protein extractability with maturity. The final economy of the concept will depend on the value of the fibre after extraction of the protein. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry