MSCAGR (Animal Science) / See the attached abstract below

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Debido a la creciente importancia de la dieta en el manejo de la salud, sigue habiendo un gran interés en desentrañar como se procesan los alimentos en el sistema digestivo humano. La estructura de los alimentos puede influir significativamente en su procesamiento, afectando al rendimiento durante la alimentación y la digestión. Específicamente, la digestión de alimentos a base de carbohidratos requiere una mayor comprensión debido a su contribución a los niveles de glucosa en sangre. El conocimiento de la cinética de digestión del almidón contribuirá a diseñar alimentos a medida para controlar los niveles de glucosa posprandial. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral fue adquirir una mejor comprensión del impacto de la microestructura en la digestión del almidón y cómo las enzimas digestivas podrían ser moduladas por compuestos fenólicos. Con ese propósito, se evaluó el papel de la estructura del pan en la masticación in vivo y la digestión in vitro. Posteriormente, se produjeron geles de almidón de diferentes fuentes y se digirieron en un sistema de digestión oro-gastro-intestinal in vitro para analizar el impacto de la microestructura del gel. Después de los estudios de microestructura en geles de almidón y pan, se exploraron diferentes ácidos fenólicos o extractos polifenólicos de algas como inhibidores de enzimas digestivas de almidón, y se evaluó la participación de la microestructura del gel de almidón en la digestión enzimática. La masticación y la textura del bolo de panes tostados de trigo se vio afectada por su diferente estructura, a pesar de que no se observaron diferencias en la percepción sensorial. El proceso de panificación también ofreció la posibilidad de modificar la estructura del pan. De hecho, la variación de la forma de la masa dio lugar a panes con diferentes propiedades estructurales y texturales de la miga. La digestión de los panes con diferente estructura de miga confirmó que se disgregaban de manera diferente, produciendo variaciones en la posterior digestibilidad del almidón. Una vez que se estableció la importancia de la microestructura de la miga en la digestión del almidón, se cambió el enfoque para enlazar la microestructura de los geles de almidón con su digestión in vitro. Los geles obtenidos con almidones de distintas fuentes botánicas mostraron diferente digestibilidad, lo que se relacionó con su microestructura, pero también con su contenido de amilosa. Considerando la acción de las enzimas digestivas (α-amilasa y α-glucosidasa) sobre la hidrólisis del almidón, se estudiaron diferentes compuestos fenólicos para comprender las interacciones entre los compuestos fenólicos y las enzimas o sustratos. La forma más eficaz de inhibir las enzimas era incubarlas con ácidos fenólicos. Se necesitó una mayor concentración del inhibidor cuando los compuestos fenólicos interactuaban previamente con el sustrato, debido a su retención dentro del gel de almidón. La estructura química de los ácidos fenólicos controlaba la inhibición de la enzima. Asimismo, los extractos fenólicos complejos, como los extraídos de las algas A. nodosum, podrían utilizarse para inhibir las enzimas digestivas, mostrando mayor efecto inhibidor cuando fueron previamente incubados con la enzima, debido a la existencia de complejos carbohidrato-polifenoles con sus diferentes capacidades inhibitorias. Además, los ácidos fenólicos afectaron las propiedades de pegado y, por lo tanto, a la estructura y textura de geles de almidón. Sin embargo, esos cambios no fueron suficientes para controlar la hidrólisis enzimática del almidón, que estaba relacionada con la estructura química de los ácidos fenólicos y sus propiedades. En general, la microestructura de la miga o del gel puede limitar la accesibilidad de las enzimas digestivas, lo que reduciría la hidrólisis del almidón. Además, la inclusión de ácidos fenólicos en alimentos a base de almidón podría ser la alternativa para reducir el grado de digestión del almidón al inhibir estas enzimas. / [CA] A causa de la creixent importància de la dieta en el maneig de la salut, segueix sent de gran interès desentranyar com es processen els aliments en el sistema digestiu humà. L'estructura dels aliments pot influir significativament en el processament dels aliments, afectant al seu rendiment durant l'alimentació i la digestió. Específicament, la digestió d'aliments a base de carbohidrats requereix una major comprensió a conseqüència de la seua contribució als nivells de glucosa en sang. El coneixement de la cinètica de la digestió del midó contribuirà a dissenyar aliments a mesura per controlar els nivells de glucosa postprandial. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi doctoral va ser adquirir una millor comprensió de l'impacte de la microestructura en la digestió del midó i com els enzims digestius podrien ser modulats per l'ús de compostos fenòlics. Amb aquest propòsit, es va avaluar el paper de l'estructura del pa en la masticació in vivo i la digestió in vitro. Posteriorment, es van produir gels de midó de diferents fonts i es van digerir en un sistema de digestió oro-gastrointestinal in vitro per analitzar l'impacte de la microestructura del gel. Després dels estudis de microestructura en gels de midó i pa, es van explorar diferents àcids fenòlics o extractes polifenòlics d'algues com inhibidors dels enzims digestius del midó, i es va avaluar la participació de la microestructura del gel de midó en la digestió enzimàtica. La masticació i la textura de la bitla de pans torrats de blat es va veure afectada per les seues diferencies estructurals, tot i que no es van observar diferències en la percepció sensorial. El procés de panificació va oferir la possibilitat de modificar l'estructura del pa. De fet, la variació de la forma de la massa va donar lloc a pans amb diferents propietats d'estructura i textura de la molla. La digestió dels pans amb diferent estructura de molla va confirmar que es disgregaven de manera diferent, produint variacions en la posterior digestibilitat del midó. Una vegada que es va establir la importància de la microestructura de la molla en la digestió del midó, es va canviar l'enfocament per a enllaçar la microestructura dels gels de midó amb la seua digestió in vitro. Els gels obtinguts amb midó de diferent fonts botàniques van mostrar diferent digestibilitat, el que es va relacionar amb la seua microestructura, però també amb el seu contingut d'amilosa. Considerant l'acció dels enzims digestius (α-amilasa i α-glucosidasa) sobre la hidròlisi del midó, es van estudiar diferents compostos fenòlics per a comprendre les interaccions entre els fenòlics i els enzims o substrats. La forma més eficaç d'inhibir els enzims era incubar-los amb àcids fenòlics. Es va necessitar una major concentració de l'inhibidor quan els compostos fenòlics interactuaven prèviament amb el substrat, a causa de la seua retenció dins del gel de midó. L'estructura química dels àcids fenòlics controlava la inhibició de l'enzim. Així mateix, els extractes fenòlics complexos, com els extrets de l'alga A. nodosum, podrien utilitzar-se per a inhibir els enzims digestius, mostrant major efecte inhibidor quan van ser prèviament incubats amb l'enzim, a causa de l'existència de complexos carbohidrat-polifenols amb les seues diferents capacitats inhibitòries. A més, els àcids fenòlics van afectar les propietats de pegat i, per tant, la estructura i textura dels gels de midó. No obstant, estos canvis en la estructura i textura dels gels no van ser suficients per a controlar la hidròlisi enzimàtica del midó, que estava relacionada amb l'estructura química dels àcids fenòlics i les seues propietats. En general, la microestructura de la molla de pa o gel de midó pot limitar l'accessibilitat dels enzims digestius, la qual cosa reduiria la hidròlisi del midó. A més, la inclusió d'àcids fenòlics en aliments a base de midó podria ser l'alternativa per a reduir el grau de digestió del midó en inhibir aquests enzims. / [EN] Due to the increasing importance of diet on health management, it remains of utmost interest to unravel how food is processed in the human digestive system. Food structure can significantly influence food processing, affecting its performance during eating and digestion. Specifically, the digestion of carbohydrates-based foods requires further insight due to their contribution to blood glucose levels. The knowledge of starch digestion kinetics will contribute to design tailored foods for managing postprandial glucose levels. The objective of this doctoral thesis was to acquire a better understanding of the impact of microstructure on starch digestion and how digestive enzymes might be modulated by the use of phenolic compounds. With that purpose, the role of bread structure on in vivo mastication, and in vitro digestion was evaluated. Subsequently, starch gels from different sources were produced and digested in an in vitro oro-gastro-intestinal digestion system to analyze the impact of gel microstructure. After the microstructure studies on bread and starch gels, different phenolic acids or seaweed polyphenolic extracts were explored as inhibitors of starch digestive enzymes, and the involvement of starch gel microstructure on the enzymatic digestion was assessed. Mastication of toasted wheat breads was affected by their different structures, despite no differences in the sensory perception was observed. Bolus texture was also altered by bread structure and texture. The breadmaking process offered the possibility to modify the bread structure. In fact, varying dough shaping led to breads with different crumb structure and texture properties. After stressing the importance of selecting the in vitro oral processing method used to simulate mastication, the further digestion of the bread with different crumb structure confirmed that they were differently disaggregated yielding variations on posterior starch digestibility. Once stating the importance of crumb microstructure on starch digestion, the focus was shifted to connect starch gels microstructure with its in vitro digestion. Gels obtained with a different type of starch, from cereals, pulses, or tubers, showed different digestibility, which was related to their microstructure but also their amylose content. Considering the action of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) on starch hydrolysis, different phenolic compounds were studied to understand the interactions between phenolics and either enzymes or substrates. The most effective way to inhibit enzymes was to incubate them with phenolic acids. A higher concentration of the inhibitor was needed when phenolic compounds interacted previously with the substrate, due to their retention within the starch gel. The chemical structure of phenolic acids controlled the enzyme inhibition. Similarly, complex phenolic extracts, like those extracted from A. nodosum seaweed could be used to inhibit digestive enzymes, showing greater inhibition effect when they were previously incubated with the enzyme, owing to the existence of carbohydrate-polyphenol complexes their different inhibitory capabilities. In addition, phenolic acids affected pasting properties and therefore gel microstructure and gel texture of starches. However, those changes on gels microstructure and texture were not enough to control starch enzymatic hydrolysis, which was related to the specific chemical structure of the phenolic acids and their properties. Overall, crumb or gel microstructure can limit digestive enzymes accessibility, which would reduce the starch hydrolysis. Moreover, the inclusion of phenolic acids on starch-based foods might be the alternative to reduce the extent of starch digestion by inhibiting digestive enzymes. / Authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project RTI2018-095919-B-C21) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, “ERDF A way of making Europe” by the “European Union”, Generalitat Valenciana (Project Prometeo 2017/189) and Xunta de Galicia (ED431B 2019/01). This work is based upon the work from COST Action 18101 SOURDOMICS – Sourdough biotechnology network towards novel, healthier and sustainable food and bioprocesses, where A. Aleixandre was supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). COST is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. / Aleixandre Agustín, A. (2022). Going from Digestion to Microstructure of Starch-Based Food Products: Understanding the Role of Polyphenols [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181137 / TESIS / Compendio

Some native warm-season forage grasses [indiangrass (IG, Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii) and little bluestem (LB, Schizachyrium scoparium)] are gaining popularity for improving summer forage production and wildlife habitat in the southeastern USA. Paucity of information about appropriate harvest management limits their restoration success. An experiment was conducted to assess effects of harvest intervals (30-, 40-, 60-, 90 or 120-d) and harvest duration on forage yield and quality, plant growth, sward structure and botanical composition of their mixed stands at Bryan Farms, Clay County, MS. Total season forage was greatest for 30-d and more from first (8472 kg ha-1) than second year plots (7627 kg ha-1). Yield was reduced by up to 43% in the second harvest year. Forage quality (crude protein content and in vitro digestibility) decreased with lengthening of harvest interval and across the harvest season. Tiller weight increased while specific leaf area and relative growth rate decreased with lengthening of harvest interval in first and second year plots. Harvesting reduced sward heights the following May, but treatment did not affect sward heights. Season mean sward heights were shorter for short harvest intervals. Light interception was greatest in the control and decreased with shortening of harvest intervals. Continuous harvesting controlled Solidago canadensis, increased herbaceous forbs, and LB, but decreased IG without substantial effect on BB. Rotational harvesting at 30- or 40-d intervals may improve forage production without compromising breeding cover during recovery. Studies on other management practices including fertilizer application and timing of harvest are needed.

Single cell proteins such as that of edible filamentous fungal biomass are considered as a promising sustainable source of animal feed supplementation. Filamentous fungi can be cultivated on different organic substrates including volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. These VFAs can be generated through the famous waste valorisation approach of anaerobic digestion (AD) as intermediate metabolites. This project investigates a sustainable approach for the production of animal feed supplementation through cultivation of fungal biomass on waste derived VFAs along with the in vitro analysis of fungal biomass digestibility as ruminant feed. In this regard, optimum conditions for the production of Aspergillus oryzae biomass on different VFAs effluents derived from anaerobic digestion process of food waste plus chicken manure (FWCKM) and potato protein liquor (PPL) at different pH, nitrogen sources, and feed mixture was studied. Accordingly, analyses showed that PPL has the highest biomass yield with 0.4 (g biomass/g consumed VFAs) based on the volatile solids (VS) by adjusting pH to 6.2. Furthermore, the digestibility of the produced fungal biomass is analysed by using three different in vitro digestion methods including Tilley and Terry (TT) method, Gas Production Method (GPM), and Nylon Bag Method (NBM) and the results are compared with the conventional feed (silage and rapeseed meal). Results obtained from different digestibility methods illustrate that different A. oryzae fungal biomass had approximately 10-15 % higher dry matter digestibility fraction compared to silage and rapeseed meal (reference feeds). Hence, these results revealed that A. oryzae fungal biomass can grow on VFAs effluents and produce protein-rich fungal biomass while this biomass has better digestibility compared to conventional feeds and confirmed the initial hypothesis of the study.

Grasses of the genera Brachiaria and Cynodon are some of the most important pasture introductions in Brazil. Convert HD 364 brachiariagrass, a new Brachiaria hybrid, was released as an option for a broad range of environmental conditions, high nutritive value and forage production. Forage-based livestock systems are complex and interactions among animals, plants, and the environment exist at several levels of complexity, which can be evaluated using computer modeling. Herbage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), plant-part composition, leaf photosynthesis, leaf area index (LAI), and light interception (LI) were evaluated as affected by two harvest frequency (28 and 42-days), irrigated and rainfed in a clipping study from April 2011 to April 2013, contrasting Convert HD 364® brachiariagrass (Brachiaria hybrid CIAT 36061), Marandu palisadegrass {Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf]; CIAT 6297}, and Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). The experimental design for both the irrigated and the rainfed trials was a randomized complete block with four replications. Convert HD 364 had similar or higher annual herbage accumulation, seasonal yield and herbage accumulation rate than Marandu and Tifton 85, (15% more herbage accumulation than Marandu and 12% more than Tifton 85 when irrigated and when harvested at shorter regrowth intervals). Convert HD 364 had good seasonal distribution of total annual herbage produced and accumulates about 30% of the total herbage mass during the cool season in Piracicaba, similar to Marandu. Tifton 85 produced around 20% of its average annual yield during dry season. Tifton 85 forage had higher CP concentration than the other two grasses when harvested at shorter intervals and when irrigated. The NDF concentration in Convert HD 364 was lower than in the other grasses regardless of irrigation treatment, harvest frequency, and season of the year, resulting in high IVOMD (more than 650 g kg-1), similar to that of Marandu. Regard to CROPGRO calibration, in general the model performance was good for the three grasses. Leaf and stem weight simulations were improved, due to increase partitioning to stem for low harvest frequencies. The LAI and LI were well performed by the model, showing increase for lower harvest frequency, with exception to Tifton 85. Under rainfed conditions, the simulations using the Penman-Monteith-FAO 56 method gave more realistic water stress responses than using the Priestley and Taylor method. Calibration results suggest that the CROPGRO - Perennial Forage Model can be used to adequately simulate growth of Marandu, Convert HD 364, and Tifton 85 under irrigated and rainfed conditions, being able to simulate different harvest frequency managements. / As gramíneas do gênero Brachiaria e Cynodon são algumas das pastagens cultivadas introduzidas no Brasil de maior importância. Convert HD 364, um novo híbrido de Brachiaria, foi lançado como uma opção para uso numa ampla gama de condições ambientais, com alto valor nutritivo e produção de forragem. Sistemas pecuários em pastagens são complexos e as interações entre os animais, as plantas e o meio ambiente existem em vários níveis de complexidade, que podem ser avaliados utilizando modelagem computacional. Acúmulo de forragem, proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica (DIVMO), a composição morfológica da planta, fotossíntese foliar, índice de área foliar (IAF) e interceptação luminosa (IL) foram avaliados em resposta à duas frequências de colheita (28 e 42 dias), irrigada e não irrigada, em um estudo com parcelas colhidas mecanicamente a partir de abril de 2011 até abril de 2013, contrastando os capins Convert HD 364® (Brachiaria híbrida CIAT 36061), Marandu {Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) RD Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf]; CIAT 6297} e Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.). O delineamento experimental utilizado tanto para o irrigado quanto para o não irrigado foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Convert HD 364 teve acúmulo de forragem anual, produção sazonal de forragem e taxa de acúmulo de forragem semelhante ou superior ao Marandu e Tifton 85, (acúmulo de forragem 15% maior do que Marandu e 12% maior do que o Tifton 85, quando irrigado e colhido em intervalos de rebrotação mais curtos). Convert HD 364 teve boa distribuição sazonal de forragem total do ano, produzindo cerca de 30% da massa total de forragem durante a estação fria, em Piracicaba, semelhante ao Marandu. Tifton 85 produziu cerca de 20% do seu rendimento médio anual durante a estação fria. Tifton 85 teve PB maior do que as outras duas gramíneas, quando colhidas em intervalos mais curtos e quando irrigadas. A concentração de FDN em Convert HD 364 foi menor do que nas outras gramíneas, independentemente da irrigação, da frequência de colheita e das estações do ano, resultando em alta DIVMO (mais de 650 g kg-1), semelhante à do capim Marandu. Em relação à calibração do CROPGRO, em geral, o desempenho do modelo foi bom para as três gramíneas. Simulações de massa de folha e colmo foram melhoradas para os capins, devido ao aumento na partição de assimilados direcionados para colmo em condição de baixa freqüência de colheita. O IAF e IL foram bem simulados pelo modelo, mostrando aumento com a diminuição da freqüência de colheita, com exceção do Tifton 85. Em condição não irrigada, as simulações utilizando o método de Penman -Monteith - FAO 56 deram respostas mais realistas de estresse hídrico do que usando o método de Priestley e Taylor. Os resultados da calibração sugerem que o modelo CROPGRO - forragem perene pode ser usado para simular adequadamente o crescimento de Marandu, Convert HD 364 e Tifton 85 sob condições irrigadas e não irrigada, sendo capaz de simular diferentes manejos de frequência de desfolhação.

Zur Sicherung der Fischbestände muss die Aquakultur ihren Beitrag zur Weltfischversorgung weiter steigern. Solange jedoch die Fischfutter Produktion stark von der Gewinnung von Fischmehl abhängig ist, bestehen für die Aquakultur natürliche Begrenzungen und die Gefahr der Überfischung der Fischbestände bleibt erhalten. Wenn das Wachstumspotenzial der Aquakultur ausgeschöpft werden soll, müssen beträchtliche Mengen von Nährstoffeinträgen in Form von vollständigen Aquakultur-Mischfuttermitteln auf einer nachhaltigen Basis verfügbar sein. Aufgrund des gestiegenen Preises von kommerziellem Fischfutter sind Kleinproduzenten nicht in der Lage dieses zu erwerben. Daher ist es notwendig, ihnen alternatives Fischfutter zur Verfügung zu stellen. Wasserpflanzen können eine bedeutende Nahrungsquelle für herbivore- und omnivore Fische sein. Dennoch ist die Nutzung dieser Pflanzen als Zusatz für Fischfutter durch eine Reihe antinutritiver Substanzen, welche das normale Fischwachstum negativ beeinträchtigen, begrenzt. Unterschiedliche Behandlungen der Pflanzen können den Anteil an antinutritiven Substanzen reduzieren. Das Ziel dieser Dissertation war es, das nutritive Potential von Wasserpflanzen zu bestimmen. Die Wirkung der Behandlungen wie Sonnentrocknung oder Fermentierung zu bewerten und den Effekt ihrer Nutzung als Fischfutter auf das Wachstum von kultivierten Fischen zu erfassen. Dazu wurden Rationen mit einem geringen Gehalt an Fischmehl (3%) und bis zu 25% der Wasserpflanzen an die Fischspezies P. brachypomus und O. niloticus verfüttert. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zeigen dass, eine ausschließlich auf aquatischen Makrophyten basierende Fütterung nicht empfehlenswert ist. Indem sie jedoch mit anderen lokal verfügbaren Agrar-Nebenerzeugnissen oder sogar mit kommerziellen Futtermitteln kombiniert werden, könnten die Futterkosten erheblich reduziert werden und bäuerlichen Kleinbetrieben eine Möglichkeit zum Wettbewerb auf den lokalen Märkten eröffnen. / It is commonly known that aquaculture needs to increase further its net contribution to the total world fish supplies. However, at present almost all farming operations, based on the use of fish feed, are highly dependent on available fishery resources for the production of fish meal, becoming a reducing activity rather than an activity suppling fishery resources. If the aquaculture growth potential is to be maintained, then considerable quantities of nutrient inputs in the form of aquafeeds will have to be available on a sustainable basis. On a long-term the small producers will be unable to depend on commercial aquafeeds based traditionally on fish meal, due to its increased price. Small-scale farmers need an alternative fish feed wherever possible based on the use of non-food grade locally feed resources, which is available in rural areas, is low-cost and is suitable for the proper growth and maintenance of native fish. Aquatic plants are considered important nutritional sources for herbivorous-omnivorous fish. However, the use of plant-derived materials as fish feed ingredient is limited by the presence of wide variety of antinutrients that affect the normal fish growth negatively; so that plants should be processed to reduce the effects of these compounds. Considering these aspects, this study assessed the nutritional potential of aquatic plants available in rural Colombia treated by sun drying and by fermentation and the effect of their use as fish feed on the growth performance of common cultured tropical fish (Piaractus brachypomus and Oreochromis niloticus) fed low fishmeal diets (3%) and until 25% of aquatic plants. The results of this study showed that a feeding exclusively based on aquatic plants is not recommendable; but to combine them with other locally available by-products of agriculture or even with commercial diets might considerably reduce feeding cost and provide to the small-scale farmers the opportunity to compete in local markets.

No description available.

Grasses of the genera Brachiaria and Cynodon are some of the most important pasture introductions in Brazil. Convert HD 364 brachiariagrass, a new Brachiaria hybrid, was released as an option for a broad range of environmental conditions, high nutritive value and forage production. Forage-based livestock systems are complex and interactions among animals, plants, and the environment exist at several levels of complexity, which can be evaluated using computer modeling. Herbage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), plant-part composition, leaf photosynthesis, leaf area index (LAI), and light interception (LI) were evaluated as affected by two harvest frequency (28 and 42-days), irrigated and rainfed in a clipping study from April 2011 to April 2013, contrasting Convert HD 364® brachiariagrass (Brachiaria hybrid CIAT 36061), Marandu palisadegrass {Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf]; CIAT 6297}, and Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). The experimental design for both the irrigated and the rainfed trials was a randomized complete block with four replications. Convert HD 364 had similar or higher annual herbage accumulation, seasonal yield and herbage accumulation rate than Marandu and Tifton 85, (15% more herbage accumulation than Marandu and 12% more than Tifton 85 when irrigated and when harvested at shorter regrowth intervals). Convert HD 364 had good seasonal distribution of total annual herbage produced and accumulates about 30% of the total herbage mass during the cool season in Piracicaba, similar to Marandu. Tifton 85 produced around 20% of its average annual yield during dry season. Tifton 85 forage had higher CP concentration than the other two grasses when harvested at shorter intervals and when irrigated. The NDF concentration in Convert HD 364 was lower than in the other grasses regardless of irrigation treatment, harvest frequency, and season of the year, resulting in high IVOMD (more than 650 g kg-1), similar to that of Marandu. Regard to CROPGRO calibration, in general the model performance was good for the three grasses. Leaf and stem weight simulations were improved, due to increase partitioning to stem for low harvest frequencies. The LAI and LI were well performed by the model, showing increase for lower harvest frequency, with exception to Tifton 85. Under rainfed conditions, the simulations using the Penman-Monteith-FAO 56 method gave more realistic water stress responses than using the Priestley and Taylor method. Calibration results suggest that the CROPGRO - Perennial Forage Model can be used to adequately simulate growth of Marandu, Convert HD 364, and Tifton 85 under irrigated and rainfed conditions, being able to simulate different harvest frequency managements. / As gramíneas do gênero Brachiaria e Cynodon são algumas das pastagens cultivadas introduzidas no Brasil de maior importância. Convert HD 364, um novo híbrido de Brachiaria, foi lançado como uma opção para uso numa ampla gama de condições ambientais, com alto valor nutritivo e produção de forragem. Sistemas pecuários em pastagens são complexos e as interações entre os animais, as plantas e o meio ambiente existem em vários níveis de complexidade, que podem ser avaliados utilizando modelagem computacional. Acúmulo de forragem, proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), digestibilidade in vitro da matéria orgânica (DIVMO), a composição morfológica da planta, fotossíntese foliar, índice de área foliar (IAF) e interceptação luminosa (IL) foram avaliados em resposta à duas frequências de colheita (28 e 42 dias), irrigada e não irrigada, em um estudo com parcelas colhidas mecanicamente a partir de abril de 2011 até abril de 2013, contrastando os capins Convert HD 364® (Brachiaria híbrida CIAT 36061), Marandu {Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) RD Webster [syn. Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf]; CIAT 6297} e Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.). O delineamento experimental utilizado tanto para o irrigado quanto para o não irrigado foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Convert HD 364 teve acúmulo de forragem anual, produção sazonal de forragem e taxa de acúmulo de forragem semelhante ou superior ao Marandu e Tifton 85, (acúmulo de forragem 15% maior do que Marandu e 12% maior do que o Tifton 85, quando irrigado e colhido em intervalos de rebrotação mais curtos). Convert HD 364 teve boa distribuição sazonal de forragem total do ano, produzindo cerca de 30% da massa total de forragem durante a estação fria, em Piracicaba, semelhante ao Marandu. Tifton 85 produziu cerca de 20% do seu rendimento médio anual durante a estação fria. Tifton 85 teve PB maior do que as outras duas gramíneas, quando colhidas em intervalos mais curtos e quando irrigadas. A concentração de FDN em Convert HD 364 foi menor do que nas outras gramíneas, independentemente da irrigação, da frequência de colheita e das estações do ano, resultando em alta DIVMO (mais de 650 g kg-1), semelhante à do capim Marandu. Em relação à calibração do CROPGRO, em geral, o desempenho do modelo foi bom para as três gramíneas. Simulações de massa de folha e colmo foram melhoradas para os capins, devido ao aumento na partição de assimilados direcionados para colmo em condição de baixa freqüência de colheita. O IAF e IL foram bem simulados pelo modelo, mostrando aumento com a diminuição da freqüência de colheita, com exceção do Tifton 85. Em condição não irrigada, as simulações utilizando o método de Penman -Monteith - FAO 56 deram respostas mais realistas de estresse hídrico do que usando o método de Priestley e Taylor. Os resultados da calibração sugerem que o modelo CROPGRO - forragem perene pode ser usado para simular adequadamente o crescimento de Marandu, Convert HD 364 e Tifton 85 sob condições irrigadas e não irrigada, sendo capaz de simular diferentes manejos de frequência de desfolhação.

A S-metilcisteína (SMC) e o peptídeo γ-glutamil-S-metilcisteína (γ-Glu-SMC), presentes em algumas leguminosas comestíveis, principalmente no feijão comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), apresentam efeitos biológicos controversos após a sua ingestão por animais de laboratório e humanos. O presente trabalho teve por finalidade investigar a absorção intestinal da SMC e da γ-Glu-SMC, empregando ensaios com segmentos intestinais isolados de rato, comparando-se a assimilação destes com a de aminoácidos protéicos. Os segmentos de duodeno e jejuno foram evertidos e incubados em solução nutritiva contendo isoladamente os aminoácidos (SMC, Phe e Met) ou o peptídeo em estudo, . acompanhando-se a taxa de absorção de cada um, em intervalos regulares entre 10 e 60 min. A taxa de absorção foi determinada por cromatografia de troca iônica em autoanalisador de aminoácidos. A SMC apresentou valores superiores aos aminoácidos Met e Phe. As mesmas amostras foram analisadas também por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em fase reversa após derivatização com o-oftalaldeído (Gustine, 1985). Os resultados por esta metodologia não foram conclusivos pois ocorreu perda de eficiência da coluna cromatográfica, provavelmente devido à adsorção irreversível de subprodutos resultantes da reação de derivatização. Sugere-se que sejam estudadas modificações no protocolo analítico. Em relação à absorção do peptídeo-Glu-SMC, comprovou-se a sua hidrólise pelo aparecimento de pequenas quantidades de SMC livre no lado seroso dos segmentos intestinais, supondo-se que esta hidrólise tenha ocorrido pela enzima γ-glutamiltranspeptidase (γ-GT). A reduzida quantidade de SMC livre encontrada poderia ser atribuída a uma eventual perda de atividade desta enzima durante o preparo e manuseio do segmento intestinal. Contudo, em ensaios adicionais, não foi observada perda de atividade desta enzima durante a incubação dos segmentos intestinais em solução nutritiva por 40 minutos. A atividade da enzima γ-GT foi aproximadamente três vezes superior no duodeno do que no jejuno, sendo de relevância em estudos de absorção intestinal. Mais estudos são necessários para um melhor entendimento do processo absortivo do peptídeo. / The biological effects of S-methyl-cysteine (SMC) and the peptide γ-glutamyl-cysteine (γ-Glu-SMC), distributed in some edible legume seeds, mainly in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), are controversial when these compounds are ingested by laboratory animals and humans. In the present study it was investigated the rate of intestinal absorption of SMC and γ-Glu-SMC employing isolated segments of rat intestines and analyzing comparatively the absorption of protein amino acids. The everted segments of duodenum and jejunum were incubated in a nutritive solution and the aminoacids SMC, Phe and Met and the peptide γ-Glu-SMC were added individually in order to measure their absorption rates in intervals of 10 min until reaching 60 minutes of incubation. The absorption rate of each compound was measured by ion exchange chromatography (amino acid analyzer). The absorption rates observed for SMC were higher than those observed for Met and Phe. The same samples were also analyzed by reversed phase-HPLC after derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (Gustine,.1985). Results did not succeed because the chromatographic column lost efficiency probably due to adsorption of byproducts of the derivatization reaction. We suggest that modifications on the analytical protocol should be developed. Results showed that the peptide γ-Glu-SMC seem to be hydrolyzed supported by the appearance of small amounts of free SMC on the serosal side of the intestines. The hydrolysis was probably catalyzed by the enzyme γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT). The appearance of only small amounts of free SMC could be explained by an eventual loss of the activity of γ-GT during preparation and incubation of the intestinal segments. However, in additional assays, the enzyme did not show any loss of activity during incubation of the segments for 40 min. We observed also that the activity of the enzyme γ-GT was 3 times higher in duodenum than in jejunum. This observation could be relevant for absorption studies employing intestinal segments. Further studies are necessary for a better understanding of the absorption process of the peptide γ-Glu-SMC.

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