Comparison of Cassava Chips and Winged Bean Tubers with Various Starch Modifications on Chemical Composition, the Kinetics of Gas, Ruminal Degradation, and Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics Using an In Situ Nylon Bag and an In Vitro Gas Production Technique

Abstract

This research assessed the impact of cassava chips (CSC) and winged bean tubers (WBT) with various starch modification methods on the chemical composition, ruminal degradation, gas production, in vitro degradability, and ruminal fermentation of feed using an in situ and in vitro gas production technique. Experimental treatments were arranged for a 2 × 5 factorial, a completely randomized design with two sources of starch and five levels of modification treatments. Two sources of starch were CSC and WBT, while five modification treatments of starch were: no modification treatment, steam treatment, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment, calcium hydroxide (CaOH2) treatment, and lactic acid (LA) treatment. The starch modification methods with NaOH and CaOH2 increased the ash content (p < 0.05), whereas the crude protein (CP) content was lower after treatment with NaOH (p < 0.05). Steam reduced the soluble fraction (a) and effective dry matter degradability of WBT in situ (p < 0.05). In addition, the WBT steaming methods result in a lower degradation rate constant in situ (p < 0.05). The degradation rate constants for the insoluble fraction (c) in the untreated CSC were higher than those of the other groups. Starch modification with LA reduced in vitro dry matter degradability at 12 and 24 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The starch modification method of the raw material showed the lowest pH value at 4 h (p < 0.05). The source of starch and starch modification methods did not influence the in vitro ammonia nitrogen concentrations, or in vitro volatile fatty acids. In conclusion, compared to the CSC group and untreated treatment, treating WBT with steam might be a more effective strategy for enhancing feed efficiency by decreasing or retarding ruminal starch degradability and maintaining ruminal pH.

Substituting effects of winged bean tuber-modified starches for cassava chip in concentrate diets on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai native beef cattle

“…Increased growth performance in beef cattle was observed when the optimal modified starch level in the feed ranged from 15 to 25% of concentrate, while this level did not impact the rumen fermentation parameters [7,9]. A recent experiment conducted by Unnawong et al [4] showcased that employing steaming methods for starch modification in winged bean tubers could enhance ruminal in vitro pH and improve gas kinetics compared to untreated WBT. Furthermore, it was also discovered that steaming WBT did not influence in vitro degradability or the production of fermentation endproducts when compared to steamed CSC.…”

“…However, the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity have led to price instability across various feedstuffs, indicating a universal challenge beyond cassava chips alone [3]. It is possible to increase local feed diversity and decrease feed restrictions in specific areas by including new tuberous species of plants or other plants [4].…”

“…Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus; WB) has the potential to be used more extensively, especially in tropical regions. Unnawong et al [4] reported that WB tubers (WBT) consisted of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) at 19.01%, 1.23%, 23.37%, and 5.93%, respectively. In addition, WBT contains high non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and gross energy at 53.10% and 3.87 kcal/g DM, respectively [4].…”

“…Unnawong et al [4] reported that WB tubers (WBT) consisted of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) at 19.01%, 1.23%, 23.37%, and 5.93%, respectively. In addition, WBT contains high non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and gross energy at 53.10% and 3.87 kcal/g DM, respectively [4]. These high NFC and energy attributes make it a promising alternative for animal feed, particularly to replace CSC [4,5].…”

“…In addition, WBT contains high non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and gross energy at 53.10% and 3.87 kcal/g DM, respectively [4]. These high NFC and energy attributes make it a promising alternative for animal feed, particularly to replace CSC [4,5]. However, despite these advantages, it remains underutilized [6].…”