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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., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Physical and biochemical analysis of protein polymorphisms in seed storage proteins of a mutant population of sorghum revealed a mutant with redirected accumulation of kafirin proteins in the germ. The change in storage proteins was accompanied by an unusually high level accumulation of free lysine and other essential amino acids in the endosperm. This mutant further displayed a significant suppression in the synthesis and accumulation of the 27kDa γ-, 24kDa α-A1 and the 22kDa α-A2 kafirins in the endosperm. The suppression of kafirins was counteracted by an upsurge in the synthesis and accumulation of albumins, globulins and other proteins. The data collectively suggest that sorghum has huge genetic potential for nutritional biofortification and that induced mutations can be used as an effective tool in achieving premium nutrition in staple cereals., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Wheat (W), triticale (T), hulled barley (HB), hull-less barley (HLB), hulled oats (HO), and hull-less oats (HLO) were gamma irradiated (60Co) at 0, 3, 6 and 9 Mrad to study the effect of irradiation on the nutritional value of cereal grains for chicks. A significant curvilinear relationship between radiation dose and 3-wk body weight of chicks fed irradiated cereals was noted for T, HB, HLB, HO and HLO. Chicks fed W or T showed no effect or lower body weight, respectively, while body weights of chicks fed barley or oat samples were higher with irradiation. The improvement tended to be maximal at the 6 Mrad level. Irradiation significantly improved the gain-to-feed ratio for chicks fed either HO or HLO. Apparent fat retention and tibia ash were higher in chicks fed irradiated HLO than in those fed untreated HLO. In a second experiment chick body weight, apparent amino acid and fat retention, tibia ash, and gain-to-feed ratios were lower in chicks fed autoclaved (121 degrees C for 20 min) barley than in those fed untreated barley. Irradiation (6 Mrad) subsequent to autoclaving barley samples eliminated these effects. Irradiation appears to benefit cereals containing soluble or mucilagenous fiber types as typified by beta-glucan of barley and oats. These fibers appear prone to irradiation-induced depolymerization, as suggested by increased beta-glucan solubility and reduced extract viscosity for irradiated barley and oat samples.