Empirical tests developed for an objective evaluation of noodle texture as well as sensory methods provide no information about the rheological parameters responsible for differences in the texture of Asian noodles. Therefore, there is a need for a technique to evaluate the rheological properties of Asian noodles that is fast, easy and inexpensive. Promising results from ultrasonic assessments of the rheological properties of wheat flour doughs and preliminary noodle studies were an encouragement to use ultrasound to address such need in this thesis. Using ultrasound at a relatively high frequency (1.4 MHz), the rheological properties of raw noodles made with three Canadian wheat varieties at various barley β-glucan (BBG) contents, sheeting work input levels and salt to kansui ratios (formulas) were evaluated. Conventional rheological, i.e., stress relaxation (SR) and uniaxial extension (Kieffer), measurements were employed for comparison purposes. The capability of ultrasound for evaluating the effects of BBG addition and sheeting work input on the rheological properties of raw wheat noodles of this study was confirmed. A greater sensitivity of ultrasound to microscopic changes in noodle dough structure, compared to SR and Kieffer tests, was reflected in differences between the results of ultrasound and those of the SR and Kieffer tests with respect to the influences of flour variety and formula on noodle rheology. Investigations of the density of raw noodles showed that air bubbles were present in the noodle dough matrix. A simple, fast and low-cost method, based on the measurement of noodle dough dimensions during the sheeting process, was proposed for a quick evaluation of noodle dough rheology. The results of the proposed method were in agreement with those of conventional rheological measurements on the effects of flour variety and sheeting work input on noodle texture. The time-dependent effect of kansui on noodle dough structure was confirmed by comparing the results of this new method with those of SR and Kieffer tests with respect to the effect of formula on noodle rheology. Further investigations are proposed to establish this method for quick assessment of Asian wheat noodle rheology. / February 2017

Os β- glucanos são polissacarídeos que possuem atividade imunomoduladora. A colibacilose é uma das principais doenças da avicultura, pois causa grandes perdas econômicas. Diante da necessidade de se estabelecer a ação do β-glucano solúvel nas aves, foram realizados dois experimentos. Um para se avaliar os efeitos do β-glucano solúvel, administrado por diferentes vias, na produção de anticorpos séricos IgA e IgG, nos parâmetros zootécnicos e outro na infecção por Escherichia coli (EC). Os experimentos foram realizados ao mesmo tempo, em galpões diferentes, sendo alojados 160 frangos de corte da linhagem Ross (Aviagen®), do primeiro ao 42o dia de idade. β-glucano solúvel foi administrado no primeiro dia, na dose de 215µg/ave, nas seguintes vias de administração: subcutânea (SC), ocular (OC) e oral (VO). O controle negativo foi o mesmo para os dois experimentos. Os tratamentos do Experimento 1 (Vias de Administração) foram: T2(SC), T3(OC) e T4(VO). O experimento onde as aves foram desafiadas por Escherichia coli foi o Experimento 2 (β-glucano e Escherichia coli). As mesmas vias de inoculação foram também estudadas nestes tratamentos, assim: T5 (controle positivo) foi desafiado e não recebeu o β-glucano solúvel, T6(SC+EC), T7(OC+EC) e T8(VO+EC). O desafio foi realizado com E. coli sorotipo O119, por via saco aéreo torácico direito aos 14 dias de idade, sendo que cada ave recebeu 4x106 UFC. As aves foram pesadas semanalmente para a análise dos parâmetros zootécnicos e toda ração adicionada foi pesada. Aos 28, 35 e 42 dias foi colhido sangue de todas as aves para se determinar por ensaio imunoenzimático indireto (ELISA indireto) as concentrações séricas de IgG e IgA totais. Nas aves infectadas foi determinado o escore de lesão, analisando a intensidade das lesões em sacos aéreos, fígado e coração. No Experimento 1 (Vias de Inoculação) os resultados mostraram concentrações séricas de IgA nas aves do T4(OC) menores que nas aves dos demais tratamentos. Em relação a IgG as aves do T4(VO) apresentaram concentrações maiores que aquelas dos demais tratamentos. No Experimento 2 (β-glucano e Escherichia coli) as aves do T7(OC+EC) tiveram as menores concentrações de IgA e apresentaram a melhor viabilidade dentre as aves dos grupos desafiados. As aves do T6(SC+EC) apresentaram concentrações maiores de IgG aos 35 e 42 dias. Quanto ao escore de lesão houve redução no grau de lesão em todos os grupos que receberam o β- glucano solúvel, exceto no saco aéreo torácico direito. Sugere-se que o uso do β- glucano solúvel possa reduzir as lesões causadas por Escherichia coli. A administração por via ocular levou a melhor viabilidade nas aves desafiadas, apesar de ter menor produção de anticorpos IgA tanto nas aves infectadas como nas aves não desafiadas. Serão necessários mais estudos para se estabelecer melhor as ações imunomoduladoras do β-glucano nas aves. / The β-glucans are polysaccharides that possess immunomodulatory activity. The colibacillosis is a major disease of poultry; it contributes to great economic losses. Faced with the need to establish the action of soluble β-glucan in birds, two experiments were conducted. One to evaluate the effects of soluble β-glucan administered by different routes, in the production of serum IgA and IgG antibodies in zootechnical parameters and other infection in Escherichia coli (EC). The experiments were performed simultaneously in different warehouses, being housed 160 broilers Ross (Aviagen ®) from first to 42nd days of age. β-glucano soluble was administered on the first day, the dose of 215µg/bird on the following routes of administration: subcutaneous (SC), ocular (OC) and oral (PO). The negative control was the same for both experiments. The treatments of the experiment called Experiment 1 (Routes of Administration) were: T2 (SC), T3(OC) and T4(VO). The experiment where birds were challenged by Escherichia coli was termed Experiment 2 (β-glucan e Escherichia coli). The same routes of inoculation were also studied in these treatments, thus: T5 (positive control), was challenged and did not receive soluble β-glucan, T6(SC+EC), T7(OC+EC) and T8(VO+EC). The challenge was performed with E. coli serotype O119, through the right thoracic air sac at 14 days of age, each bird was given 4x106 CFU. The birds were weighed weekly for analysis of zootechnical parameters ration added and the whole was weighed. At 28, 35 and 42 days blood was collected from all birds to determine by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum concentrations of total IgG and IgA. In birds infected was determined the injury score by analyzing the intensity of the lesions in air sacs, liver and heart. In the Experiment 1 (Routes of Inoculation) the results showed serum IgA in birds of T4(OC) smaller than the other treatments in birds. Regarding IgG the birds of T4(VO) had levels greater than those of other treatments. In Experiment 2 (β-glucan and Escherichia coli) birds of T7(OC+EC) had the lowest concentrations of IgA and showed the best viability among groups of birds challenged. Birds of T6(SC+EC) showed higher concentrations of IgG at 35 and 42 days. As for the injury score decreased the degree of injury in all groups receiving β- glucan soluble except in right thoracic air sac. It is suggested that the use of β-glucan soluble can reduce injuries caused by Escherichia coli. The administration by ocular route led to better viability challenged birds, despite having lower production of IgA in both the infected birds as the birds not challenged. Further studies are needed to better establish the immunomodulatory actions of β-glucan in birds.

Os b-glucanos são formados por polissacarídeos estruturais da parede celular de leveduras (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), alguns cereais em grãos e fungos. Os b-glucanos apresentam a molécula de glicose ligada ao carbono nas posições b-1,3 e pode apresentar cadeias laterais com o resíduo de glicose ligado nas posições b-1,6. O b-glucano tem sua ação benéfica como antiinflamatório, antitumoral, hipocolesterolêmico e hipoglicêmico. A inocuidade do b-glucano solubilizado nesse trabalho foi demonstrada in vitro, em cultivo celular de fibroblastos de embriões de galinhas SPF, e confirmado in vivo após a injeção no músculo peitoral de frangos. O b-glucano é um modulador biológico devido sua capacidade de em aumentar a resposta imune inata, aumentando os mecanismos inespecíficos de defesa dos animais. O b-glucano solúvel na dose de 240 mg/ave, associado ao diluente da vacina de Marek, apresentou efeito imunomodulador na resposta imune humoral. Os níveis de IgG no plasma foram detectados pela técnica de ELISA, e a resposta imune celular foi avaliada pela detecção de IFNg-, IL-2 e IL-6 em frangos vacinados com vacina recombinante e viva contra doença de Gumboro. O b-glucano solúvel nesse experimento demonstrou ser um potente imunoadjuvante após aumentar a resposta imune humoral e celular para os antígenos da doença infecciosa da Bursa, quando associado em vacinas recombinantes e vivas. / The b-glucans are structural polysaccharides from yeast cell wall (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), some cereal grains and fungi. The b-glucans have a glucose molecule carbon linked in sites b-1,3 and they have side chains of glucose residue in sites b-1,6. The b-glucans have a helpful effect as anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activity .The safety of b-glucan water-soluble obtained in this work was demonstrated in vitro, using specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cell culture chicken embryo fibroblast and it was confirmed in vivo after injection in chicken pectoral muscle. The b-glucan is a biological modulator due to its ability to increase the innate immune response. The soluble b-glucan in 240 mg/bird dose, associated to Marek\'s disease vaccine diluents showed immunomodulatory effect in humoral immune response. The IgG plasma levels were detected by ELISA method, and the cellular immune response was evaluated by detection IFN-g, IL-2 and IL-6 in vaccinated chickens with recombinant and live vaccines against Gumboro\'s disease using Real-Time PCR technique. The soluble b-glucan used in this trial demonstrated a powerful immune-adjuvant effect enhancing the cellular and humoral immune response against Bursal disease, when associated to recombinant vaccine and live vaccines.

β-glucans are unavailable carbohydrates and a dietary fiber that cannot be readily metabolized by our own bodies’ enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. They are instead metabolized by our microbiota in the large intestine, were they have multiple health benefits. They help with keeping the microbiota in balance and regulating our immune system. They have also been shown to have cholesterol lowering effects. β-glucans are found in cereals like barley, oat, rye, and wheat but they can also come from other sources like bacterial cell walls and fungi. However, depending on their origin, they have different structures and properties. β-glucans from cereals are linear polymers of β-(1→4)-D-glycopyranosyl units separated by single units of β-(1→3)-D-glycopyranosyl in a mixed linkage. The concentration of β-glucan is highly varied between cereal type as well as cultivar of the same cereal. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in β-glucan content between commercial bread baked using traditional versus modern cereal cultivars. β-glucan was determined using the Megazyme assay kit, a method approved by the American association of cereal chemists (AACC) International. The method uses a highly specific enzymatic breakdown of β-glucan into D-glucose that can then be determined colorimetrically. The results for β-glucan showed high variation between different types of cereals and bread tested, were grains like barley and rye had higher β-glucan content compared to oat and wheat, showing clear health benefits to eating grains like barley and rye, over grains like wheat. The β-glucan content for cereals ranged from 0.30 – 3.66% of dry weight, whereas the different bread had β-glucan ranging from 0.31 – 1.14% of dry weight. There was no significant difference between modern versus traditional cultivars and therefore neither had any greater health benefits from a β-glucan content perspective. The daily consumption of β-glucan needed to show cholesterol lowering effects is 3g, which in this study mean that about 7.5 bread slices (about 300 g) of the highest β-glucan containing bread is needed to be eaten daily to achieve the daily intake goal.

Os β- glucanos são polissacarídeos que possuem atividade imunomoduladora. A colibacilose é uma das principais doenças da avicultura, pois causa grandes perdas econômicas. Diante da necessidade de se estabelecer a ação do β-glucano solúvel nas aves, foram realizados dois experimentos. Um para se avaliar os efeitos do β-glucano solúvel, administrado por diferentes vias, na produção de anticorpos séricos IgA e IgG, nos parâmetros zootécnicos e outro na infecção por Escherichia coli (EC). Os experimentos foram realizados ao mesmo tempo, em galpões diferentes, sendo alojados 160 frangos de corte da linhagem Ross (Aviagen®), do primeiro ao 42o dia de idade. β-glucano solúvel foi administrado no primeiro dia, na dose de 215µg/ave, nas seguintes vias de administração: subcutânea (SC), ocular (OC) e oral (VO). O controle negativo foi o mesmo para os dois experimentos. Os tratamentos do Experimento 1 (Vias de Administração) foram: T2(SC), T3(OC) e T4(VO). O experimento onde as aves foram desafiadas por Escherichia coli foi o Experimento 2 (β-glucano e Escherichia coli). As mesmas vias de inoculação foram também estudadas nestes tratamentos, assim: T5 (controle positivo) foi desafiado e não recebeu o β-glucano solúvel, T6(SC+EC), T7(OC+EC) e T8(VO+EC). O desafio foi realizado com E. coli sorotipo O119, por via saco aéreo torácico direito aos 14 dias de idade, sendo que cada ave recebeu 4x106 UFC. As aves foram pesadas semanalmente para a análise dos parâmetros zootécnicos e toda ração adicionada foi pesada. Aos 28, 35 e 42 dias foi colhido sangue de todas as aves para se determinar por ensaio imunoenzimático indireto (ELISA indireto) as concentrações séricas de IgG e IgA totais. Nas aves infectadas foi determinado o escore de lesão, analisando a intensidade das lesões em sacos aéreos, fígado e coração. No Experimento 1 (Vias de Inoculação) os resultados mostraram concentrações séricas de IgA nas aves do T4(OC) menores que nas aves dos demais tratamentos. Em relação a IgG as aves do T4(VO) apresentaram concentrações maiores que aquelas dos demais tratamentos. No Experimento 2 (β-glucano e Escherichia coli) as aves do T7(OC+EC) tiveram as menores concentrações de IgA e apresentaram a melhor viabilidade dentre as aves dos grupos desafiados. As aves do T6(SC+EC) apresentaram concentrações maiores de IgG aos 35 e 42 dias. Quanto ao escore de lesão houve redução no grau de lesão em todos os grupos que receberam o β- glucano solúvel, exceto no saco aéreo torácico direito. Sugere-se que o uso do β- glucano solúvel possa reduzir as lesões causadas por Escherichia coli. A administração por via ocular levou a melhor viabilidade nas aves desafiadas, apesar de ter menor produção de anticorpos IgA tanto nas aves infectadas como nas aves não desafiadas. Serão necessários mais estudos para se estabelecer melhor as ações imunomoduladoras do β-glucano nas aves. / The β-glucans are polysaccharides that possess immunomodulatory activity. The colibacillosis is a major disease of poultry; it contributes to great economic losses. Faced with the need to establish the action of soluble β-glucan in birds, two experiments were conducted. One to evaluate the effects of soluble β-glucan administered by different routes, in the production of serum IgA and IgG antibodies in zootechnical parameters and other infection in Escherichia coli (EC). The experiments were performed simultaneously in different warehouses, being housed 160 broilers Ross (Aviagen ®) from first to 42nd days of age. β-glucano soluble was administered on the first day, the dose of 215µg/bird on the following routes of administration: subcutaneous (SC), ocular (OC) and oral (PO). The negative control was the same for both experiments. The treatments of the experiment called Experiment 1 (Routes of Administration) were: T2 (SC), T3(OC) and T4(VO). The experiment where birds were challenged by Escherichia coli was termed Experiment 2 (β-glucan e Escherichia coli). The same routes of inoculation were also studied in these treatments, thus: T5 (positive control), was challenged and did not receive soluble β-glucan, T6(SC+EC), T7(OC+EC) and T8(VO+EC). The challenge was performed with E. coli serotype O119, through the right thoracic air sac at 14 days of age, each bird was given 4x106 CFU. The birds were weighed weekly for analysis of zootechnical parameters ration added and the whole was weighed. At 28, 35 and 42 days blood was collected from all birds to determine by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serum concentrations of total IgG and IgA. In birds infected was determined the injury score by analyzing the intensity of the lesions in air sacs, liver and heart. In the Experiment 1 (Routes of Inoculation) the results showed serum IgA in birds of T4(OC) smaller than the other treatments in birds. Regarding IgG the birds of T4(VO) had levels greater than those of other treatments. In Experiment 2 (β-glucan and Escherichia coli) birds of T7(OC+EC) had the lowest concentrations of IgA and showed the best viability among groups of birds challenged. Birds of T6(SC+EC) showed higher concentrations of IgG at 35 and 42 days. As for the injury score decreased the degree of injury in all groups receiving β- glucan soluble except in right thoracic air sac. It is suggested that the use of β-glucan soluble can reduce injuries caused by Escherichia coli. The administration by ocular route led to better viability challenged birds, despite having lower production of IgA in both the infected birds as the birds not challenged. Further studies are needed to better establish the immunomodulatory actions of β-glucan in birds.

β-glucan is a major component of the fungal cell wall consisting of (1→3)-β linked glucose polymers with (1→6)-β linked side chains. The published classical isolation procedure of β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, the aim of this research was to develop an effective procedure for the extraction of glucans. We have developed a new method for glucan extraction that will be cost effective and will maintain the native structure of the glucan. The method that we developed is 80% faster and utilizes 1/3 of the reagents compared to the published classical method. Further, the method developed increases the yield from 2.9 % to 10.3 %. Our new process has a branching frequency of 18.4 down from 197 and a side chain of 5.1 up from 2.5. The data indicate a more preserved native structure of isolated glucans.

-Glucan is a soluble fibre shown to help regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol. Incorporation into food, particularly bread, may affect -glucans physicochemical properties and health benefits. The journey of -glucan through the mixing, fermenting, baking, and storage of bread was evaluated, in terms of its solubility and viscosity under in vitro physiological conditions, at levels most likely to be presented to consumers (0.75, 1.0, 1.5 g -glucan/serving). Satiety and glycemic response measures, in addition to the quality and consumer acceptability of the bread, were also investigated. In dough, viscosity of the physiological extract was impacted by -glucan level, fermentation time, and endogenous flour enzymes. Fermentation decreased -glucan solubility indicating that the reduction in viscosity depends on both molecular degradation and solubility reduction. Dough rheological properties and microstructure, characterized using an oscillatory rheometer and fluorescence microscopy, respectively, showed that -glucan may interfere with the gluten network, though gluten addition may help improve this. The breads physical properties supported these observations, as -glucan decreased loaf volume and height, while gluten addition corrected this. Baking increased -glucan solubilization to 58-60%, compared to 9% in dough. Gluten addition increased solubility further (67-68%). Similar trends were seen for extract viscosity and were supported by fluorescence microscopy images. Storage at ambient, refrigeration and frozen conditions showed that bread with -glucan should be consumed fresh to maintain highest bread quality and -glucan solubility and viscosity. Bread with -glucan kept panelists full, longer. Reducing sugar release values implied that satiety may depend on digesta viscosity and/or rate of sugar release from the bread. Bread with -glucan produced the most leveled glucose curve; though areas under the 2 hr plasma glucose curves were similar. Consumers liked the 0.75 g -glucan/serving bread and the control more than the 1.5 g -glucan/serving bread, though provision of health information improved bread liking to similar values. The findings demonstrate that low solubility -glucan concentrate that gets solubilized upon baking is well suited for bakery applications and that a successful -glucan-fortified bread product is possible. Commercialization of bread fortified with -glucan would provide consumers an additional source of dietary fibre to assist them in coming closer to recommended daily intakes. / Food Science and Technology

Fine tuning a nutritional strategy by incorporating dietary fibre (DF) in pig diets can help to improve gut health. Fermentation of DF, especially the soluble fraction, in pig intestines yields short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid, which have been found to improve gut health by favouring the growth of health-promoting bacteria such as <i>Lactobacilli</i> and <i>Bifidobacteria</i>, at the expense of pathogenic ones like <i>Clostridium</i> or <i>Salmonella</i>, which may enhance the health of host species. The presence of fermentable fibre in the pig diet can also contribute to reducing nitrogen (N) excretion, which can have a positive impact on the environmental footprint, one of the main concerns of a modern commercial pork production.<p> The overall objective of this thesis project was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of a selection of feedstuffs in the pig intestines and their potential impact on the gut environment and nitrogen excretion. The evaluation was performed by executing two projects using both <i>in vitro</i> and in <i>vivo studies</i>.<p> The first project focused on the fermentation characteristics of hulless barley in comparison to hulled barley and oats and their effects on the gut environment, especially the production of fermentation metabolites. The rate of fibre fermentation in the intestines was first studied by means of an in vitro gas production technique. The results demonstrated that hulless barleys have higher fermentability and produce higher amounts of SCFA than hulled barley and oats. An experiment carried out on pigs confirmed that the fermentation of the soluble fibre fraction of hulless barley in the gut leads to increased production of SCFA and lactic acid, which in turn contribute to the growth of potentially beneficial microbiota and decrease potentially harmful bacteria, an indicator of improved gut health. This finding shows that gut health parameters may be modulated. Thus gut health could potentially be improved through feed formulation by a judicious selection of feed ingredients with specific fibre fractions, not only by the addition of isolated fibres, which is commonly recommended at present.<p> The second project was executed to study the effect of some feedstuffs differing in their DF and protein content on fermentation characteristics and N excretion in pigs. The feedstuffs included wheat bran, wood cellulose, peas, pea hulls, pea inner fibre, sugar beet pulp, flax seed meal and corn distiller's dried grains with solubles. The results showed that peas and pea fibre-based diets produced higher amounts of SCFA and reduced N excreted, compared to others. In a parallel <i>in vitro</i> study, fermentation characteristics and bacterial protein synthesis was also studied using the same feed ingredients. The findings of the <i>in vitro</i> study corraborated the results of the <i>in vivo</i> experiment. These studies showed that peas and pea fibres have the potential to be used in pig diets in order to gain gut health-benefits and reduce N excretion.<p> From this thesis, it can be concluded that sources and type of dietary fibre have a significant effect on the production of fermentation metabolites in the pig intestine and on N excretion. Among the feed ingredients studied, hulless barley and pea fibres seem to have the greatest potential to be included in pig diets as a source of fermentable fibre to modulate the gut environment, which in turn, extend possibly health-promoting properties and reduce N excretion from pigs. However, further research is needed to understand the specific health benefits of these fibre sources and to quantify the specific fibre components required to achieve these benefits.

Fine tuning a nutritional strategy by incorporating dietary fibre (DF) in pig diets can help to improve gut health. Fermentation of DF, especially the soluble fraction, in pig intestines yields short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid, which have been found to improve gut health by favouring the growth of health-promoting bacteria such as <i>Lactobacilli</i> and <i>Bifidobacteria</i>, at the expense of pathogenic ones like <i>Clostridium</i> or <i>Salmonella</i>, which may enhance the health of host species. The presence of fermentable fibre in the pig diet can also contribute to reducing nitrogen (N) excretion, which can have a positive impact on the environmental footprint, one of the main concerns of a modern commercial pork production.<p> The overall objective of this thesis project was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of a selection of feedstuffs in the pig intestines and their potential impact on the gut environment and nitrogen excretion. The evaluation was performed by executing two projects using both <i>in vitro</i> and in <i>vivo studies</i>.<p> The first project focused on the fermentation characteristics of hulless barley in comparison to hulled barley and oats and their effects on the gut environment, especially the production of fermentation metabolites. The rate of fibre fermentation in the intestines was first studied by means of an in vitro gas production technique. The results demonstrated that hulless barleys have higher fermentability and produce higher amounts of SCFA than hulled barley and oats. An experiment carried out on pigs confirmed that the fermentation of the soluble fibre fraction of hulless barley in the gut leads to increased production of SCFA and lactic acid, which in turn contribute to the growth of potentially beneficial microbiota and decrease potentially harmful bacteria, an indicator of improved gut health. This finding shows that gut health parameters may be modulated. Thus gut health could potentially be improved through feed formulation by a judicious selection of feed ingredients with specific fibre fractions, not only by the addition of isolated fibres, which is commonly recommended at present.<p> The second project was executed to study the effect of some feedstuffs differing in their DF and protein content on fermentation characteristics and N excretion in pigs. The feedstuffs included wheat bran, wood cellulose, peas, pea hulls, pea inner fibre, sugar beet pulp, flax seed meal and corn distiller's dried grains with solubles. The results showed that peas and pea fibre-based diets produced higher amounts of SCFA and reduced N excreted, compared to others. In a parallel <i>in vitro</i> study, fermentation characteristics and bacterial protein synthesis was also studied using the same feed ingredients. The findings of the <i>in vitro</i> study corraborated the results of the <i>in vivo</i> experiment. These studies showed that peas and pea fibres have the potential to be used in pig diets in order to gain gut health-benefits and reduce N excretion.<p> From this thesis, it can be concluded that sources and type of dietary fibre have a significant effect on the production of fermentation metabolites in the pig intestine and on N excretion. Among the feed ingredients studied, hulless barley and pea fibres seem to have the greatest potential to be included in pig diets as a source of fermentable fibre to modulate the gut environment, which in turn, extend possibly health-promoting properties and reduce N excretion from pigs. However, further research is needed to understand the specific health benefits of these fibre sources and to quantify the specific fibre components required to achieve these benefits.

Morphological transitions in Wangiella dermatitidis, a causative agent of human phaeohyphomycosis, influence virulence processes in this polymorphic fungus. My project first involved the cloning and characterizion of the β(1→3) glucan synthase gene WdFKS1, which encodes the enzyme's catalytic subunit, followed by cloning and characterizing the WdRHO1 gene, which encodes its regulatory subunit. To better understand the Rho-type GTPase-mediated regulation of cell polarity and its role in fungal morphological transitions, a homologue of WdRAC1 from a W. dermatitidis was subsequently identified by degenerate PCR and gene walking. Gene deletions of WdFKS1 and WdRHO1 in haploid W. dermatitidis were lethal, whereas the deletion of WdRAC1 was not. RNA interference on WdFKS1 mRNA expression resulted in incomplete septa and damaged cell wall integrity, as well as slow growth rate in W. dermatitidis. Overexpression studies, after site-specific integrations of WdRHO1 and WdRAC1 alleles under control of the glaA promoter into the nonessential WdPKS1 locus, showed the different alleles had different effects on the cell morphological development. For example, whereas overexpression of the wdrho1⁺ allele did not affect the growth rate of W. dermatitidis, the overexpression of wdrho1[superscript G14V], a constitutively active mutation, slowed growth and repressed true filamentous hyphal growth by promoting pseudohyphal growth. While the deletion of WdRAC1 did not affect growth, its loss retarded polarized hyphal growth in a hyphal-inducing minimal medium. Moreover, three new phenotypes of a previously derived WdCDC42 deletion mutant were discovered during this study: in the first, the wdcdc42[Delta] mutant displayed cell lysis when incubated in YPMaltose medium at 37°C; in the second, a dark budding neck abnormality was found after Calcoflour staining; and in the third, the wdcdc42[Delta] mutant displayed no branching during true hyphal growth. Interestingly, the overexpression of wdrac1[superscript G16V] complemented the second and the third phenotypes caused by the WdCDC42 deletion. In addition, the wdcdc42[Delta]/wdrac1[superscript G16V] double mutant unexpectedly displayed an interrupted carotenogenesis pathway. These results support that in W. dermatitidis, Rho-type GTPases play essential roles in growth rate determination and cellular morphogenesis, especially while producing polarized hyphal growth during its many morphological transitions. / text