Barley β-Glucans Alter Intestinal Viscosity and Reduce Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations in Chicks ,

Abstract

Ninety-six 14-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into three dietary groups and fed a corn-soybean meal diet, a barley diet with beta-glucanase and that diet without beta-glucanase. All diets contained 4 g cholesterol/kg. Average daily body weight gain, plasma total cholesterol concentration, LDL cholesterol concentration and digestibility of lipids and protein were lowest (P < 0.05) in the chicks fed the barley diet without beta-glucanase and highest (P < 0.05) in the chicks fed corn-soybean meal diet. Supplementation of the barley diet with beta-glucanase resulted in greater (P < 0.05) average daily weight gain, plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations and digestibility of lipids. Viscosity of small intestinal digesta was greatest in chicks fed barley, lowest in those fed the corn-soybean diet and intermediate in chicks fed enzyme-treated barley. Significant (P < 0.01) negative correlations occurred between viscosity of the small intestinal contents and average daily weight gain, plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations, and digestibility of lipids and protein. A lower concentration of insoluble beta-glucans in small intestinal digesta of the chicks fed barley supplemented with beta-glucanase compared with the chicks fed the unsupplemented barley diet reflects hydrolytic activity of the supplemental beta-glucanase in the diet.

Influence of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes on growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass quality of broilers fed corn or wheat/barley-based diets

“…Protein digestibility is also altered by increased intestinal viscosity (Wang et al 1992). In this study we could not find significant effects of diets and supplements on the lipid and protein profiles in plasma.…”

Effects of non-starch polysaccharides enzymes on pancreatic and small intestinal digestive enzyme activities in piglet fed diets containing high amounts of barley

“…But this may result from the fact that NSP enzymes degrade β-glucan and arabinoxylan in endosperm cell wall and decrease the viscosity of digesta in small intestine. Viscosity may act as a barrier to prevent contact of digestive enzymes with their substrates, thickening of the unstirred layer of mucosa and prevention of micelle formation required for absorption of lipids [31] . This process makes the endogenous enzymes to approach substrate easily and work more efficiently.…”

Nutritional advantages of oats and opportunities for its processing as value added foods - a review

“…Upon consumption of 140 g of rolled oats, an average reduction of 11 % in the plasma total was observed (Poinerou et al 2001). The hypocholesterolemic effect of oats is attributed to β-glucan; two hypotheses for possible mechanisms are suggested; first, the intestinal viscosity effect of β-glucan which is believed to increase the thickness of the unstirred layer of the small intestine, slowing and inhibiting the absorption of lipids and cholesterol (Wang et al 1992). The second mechanism of action hypothesized is that β-glucan causes binding of bile acids in the intestine causing them to be excreted in faecal waste.…”