Detecting carbohydrate molecular structural makeup in different types of cereal grains and different cultivars within each type of grain grown in semi-arid area using FTIR spectroscopy with uni- and multi-variate molecular spectral analyses

Identification of sorghum variety using hyperspectral technology with squeeze-and-excitation convolutional neural network algorithms

In this study, hyperspectral technology along with a combination of squeeze-and-excitation convolutional neural networks and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS-SECNNet) was developed to identify sorghum varieties. In addition, the support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) models were established for the rapid identification of sorghum varieties and compared with the CARS-SECNNet model. Two preprocessing methods, wavelet transform (WT) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), were applied to preprocess sorghum hyperspectral data. The average abnormal scores for WT and MSC were 1.0619 and 0.5096, respectively, indicating that MSC gave the best preprocessing results. After preprocessing using MSC, the average identification rates of sorghum variety using the of CARS-SECNNet, RF and SVM models were 99.39%, 88.71% and 93.64%, respectively. The CARS-SECNNet model was optimized up to the maximum accuracy of 99.79%, and its generalizability was validated, achieving a validation accuracy of 91.04%. This study proves that the combination of hyperspectral technology with the CARS-SECNNet model for sorghum variety identification offers higher accuracy and rapidity compared with traditional machine learning.

Effect of Anaerobic Calcium Oxide Alkalization on the Carbohydrate Molecular Structures, Chemical Profiles, and Ruminal Degradability of Rape Straw

To improve the utilization efficiency of rape straw, anaerobic calcium oxide (CaO) alkalization was conducted, and advanced molecular spectroscopy was applied, to detect the internal molecular structural changes. Rape straw was treated with different combinations of CaO (3%, 5%, and 7%) and moisture levels (50% and 60%) and stored under anaerobic conditions. We investigated the carbohydrate chemical constituents, the ruminal neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) degradation kinetics, and the carbohydrate molecular structural features. CaO-treated groups were higher (p < 0.05) for ash, Ca, non-fiber carbohydrate, soluble fiber, and the ruminal degradability of aNDF and ADF. In contrast, they were lower (p < 0.05) for the contents of aNDF, ADF, and indigestible fiber. With CaO levels rising from 3% to 7%, the content of aNDF and ADF linearly decreased (p < 0.05). CaO treatment and anaerobic storage changed the molecular characteristics, including structural parameters related to total carbohydrates (TC), cellulosic compounds (CEC), and structural carbohydrates (STC). Alterations in cellulosic compounds' spectral regions were highly correlated with the differences in carbohydrate chemical constituents and the ruminal digestibility of rape straw. In summary, CaO treatment and anaerobic storage altered the molecular structural parameters of carbohydrates, leading to an enhancement in the effective degradability (ED) of aNDF and ADF in rape straw. From the perspective of processing cost and effectiveness, 5% CaO + 60% moisture could be suggested as a recommended treatment combination.

Mechanisms of alkali pH-shifted colour changes in squid (Uroteuthis edulis) subjected to frozen storage

The skin discoloration of squid subjected to frozen storage negatively affects market price. In this study, various alkali treatments were investigated for effects on red granules and yellow pigments of squid skin and corresponding mechanisms were investigated at the tissue, cellular and molecular level. A significant colour improvement was observed when subjected to a pH 12 treatment, supported by decreased Δb* and increased Δa* values. Neither lower nor harsher alkali treatments than pH 12 can not obtain such results. HE staining and the UV-vis spectrum suggest that the improved red colour in skin was ascribed to the release of red pigment granules from damaged chromatophores by alkaline treatment and the release of red pigments in alkaline aqueous solutions from granules. However, based on TEM and particle size analysis, an excessive alkali treatment of pH 13 would degrade granules into smaller particles. The degradation of yellowness pigments indicated high sensitivity to alkali environments according to HPLC results. This study provides a valuable reference for improving the colour appearance of squid skin subjected to frozen storage.

Effects of physicochemical and structural properties of single and double feedstuffs derived from different botanic sources on in vitro starch digestion and glucose release kinetics

Starch is the largest constituent in animal diets. The aims of this study were as follows: (a) to assess the variability of basic physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestion of starchy feedstuffs and investigate relationship between physicochemical properties and starch digestion of the feedstuffs, and (b) to explore the effects of different sources of starchy feedstuffs on starch digestion and glucose release. In this study, we determined the inherent molecular structure and granular structure of starch and chemical compositions of seven starchy feedstuffs, as well as starch digestion in single feedstuff and different feedstuffs combined with corn. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed significant difference between granule shape and size of starch of different feedstuffs. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra for barley and wheat had lower (p < 0.05) absorbance band at areas A_860 and A_928 than other feedstuffs, yet rice starch had the lowest value for ratio (R) (1047/1022). Moreover, digestion rate ranged from 0.0157/min for resistant starch (sorghum) to 0.029/min for rapidly starch (broken rice). The principle component analysis (PCA) showed that predicted glycaemic index (pGI) was positively related to A_1022, glucose and rapidly (RDS) content and negatively related to A_995, A_1047, R (1047/1022), resistant starch (RS) and amylose content. Most of the feedstufss with corn combination had no effect on rate of starch digestion. In addition, different starchy feeds and corn combination changed the rate of starch digestion, when barley, however, sorghum combined with corn seemed to affect rate of starch digestion. To sum up, different sources differed in basic physicochemical and structural properties, which would influence the digestion rate of starch and the release of glucose. Combination of different feedstuffs particular sorghum with corn has interactive effect on starch digestion and the release of glucose.

Antioxidant, Physicochemical, and Cellular Secretion of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Properties of Oat Bran Protein Hydrolysates

The aim of this work was to determine the physicochemical and biological activities of hydrolyzed proteins from sonicated oat brans. In addition to the control bran sample, two types of pre-treatment procedures-namely, ultrasonic bath and probe-type sonication-were performed to extract proteins, followed by hydrolysis with various proteases. Physicochemical analyses showed that Flavourzyme-hydrolysates had greater amounts of aromatic amino acids, Papain-hydrolysates low surface charges (-0.78 to -1.32 mV) compared to the others (-3.67 to -9.17 mV), and Alcalase-hydrolysates a higher surface hydrophobicity. The hydrolysates had good radical scavenging activities but, as the ultrasonic pre-treatment of the brans showed, in certain cases there was a reduction in activities of up to 22% for ROO^• and HO^• and 15% for O₂^•- radicals. In anti-diabetic tests, the maximum inhibition of α-amylase was 31.8%, while that of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 was 53.6%. In addition, the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 in NCI-H716 cells was enhanced by 11.5% in the presence of hydrolysates.

Immobilization of Zn(II) ions from contaminated biomass using ceramic matrices

This article describes the adsorption of zinc ions from synthetic solutions using residual pine sawdust as an adsorbent and, subsequently, the use of clay ceramic pieces and contaminated biomass as metal immobilizers. The process of adsorption was carried out with a synthetic solution of ZnCl₂ in contact with sawdust for a fixed time of 24 h. The mixture was stirred continually. The mixture was then filtered, and the metal ions not adsorbed by the biomass and present in the liquid phase were quantified. The physicochemical characteristics of the sawdust were determined by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, among others. The adsorption kinetics shows that the equilibrium was reached at 24 h. The most efficient ratio of the amount of biomass and the concentration of Zn(II) was 10 g/L of sawdust and 6.5 × 10⁴ mg/L of metal, which was used to analyse the capacity of metal immobilization in the designed bricks. The values obtained for the apparent porosity, the loss of weight by ignition, the mechanical properties and the efficiency of retention, indicate that these bricks are suitable for use in civil construction.

Using vibrational molecular spectroscopy with chemometrics as an analytical method to investigate association of degradation with inherent molecular structures in grain

Corn starch played a critical role in maintaining energy supply for high milk yield. The objectives of this research were to disclose the starch and carbohydrate-related biopolymers degradation in three newly developed corn lines (LM10, LM01 and LD999) during rumen incubation, and detect relationships between molecular structures and starch degradation. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-transform Vibrational Molecular Spectroscopy (ATR-Ft/VMS) was applied to reveal molecular structure conformations that were associated with major nutrients macro-biopolymers. Line LM01 was greater (P < 0.01) in peak heights and areas of carbohydrate (CHO) related spectral than LM10 and LD999 (P < 0.01). Line LM01 had greater rumen degradable dry matter and starch than LM10 and LD999 (P < 0.05). During 48 h rumen incubation, absorbance intensities of CHO peak 1 and peak 3 decreased linearly (P < 0.01), but absorbance intensities of CHO peak 2 increased, non-structural CHO related spectral absorbance intensities decreased linearly (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that CHO associated spectral were positively correlated to ruminal dry matter and starch degradability (P < 0.10). The results inferred that the molecular spectral features of newly developed corn lines played a more important role in determining starch degradability.

Investigation of the Spectroscopic Information on Functional Groups Related to Carbohydrates in Different Morphological Fractions of Corn Stover and Their Relationship to Nutrient Supply and Biodegradation Characteristics

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) nutritive values and biodegradation characteristics and (2) mid-IR spectroscopic features within the regions associated with carbohydrate functional groups (including cellulosic component (CELC), structural carbohydrate (STCHO), and total carbohydrate (CHO)) in different morphological fractions of corn stover. Furthermore, correlation and regression analyses were also applied to determine the relationship between nutritional values and spectroscopic parameters. The results showed that different morphological sections of corn stover had different nutrient supplies, in situ biodegradation characteristics, and spectral structural features within carbohydrate regions. The stem rind and ear husk were both high in fibrous content, which led to the lowest effective degradabilities (ED) among these stalk fractions. The ED values of NDF were ranked ear husk > stem pith > leaf blade > leaf sheath > whole plant > stem rind. Intensities of peak height and area within carbohydrate regions were relatively more stable compared with spectral ratio profiles. Significant difference was found only in peak area intensity of CELC, which was at the highest level for stem rind, followed by stem pith, leaf sheath, whole plant, leaf blade, and ear husk. Correlation results showed that changes in some carbohydrate spectral ratios were highly associated with carbohydrate chemical profiles and in situ rumen degradation kinetics. Among the various carbohydrate molecular spectral parameters that were tested in multiple regression analysis, CHO height ratios, and area ratios of CELC:CHO and CELC:STCHO as well as CELC area were mostly sensitive to nutrient supply and biodegradation characteristics in different morphological fractions of corn stover.