Limits to starch digestion in the ruminant small intestine

Site and extent of starch digestion by ruminant animals varies with species, grain type and processing method. Based on a review of 40 different experiments with cattle, between 18 and 42% of the dietary starch from corn and sorghum grains fed to cattle reaches the small intestine for digestion. With more extensive grain processing, a smaller quantity of starch reaches the small intestine. In the small intestine, from 47 to 88% of the presented starch is digested, while in the large intestine, 33 to 62% of the presented starch is digested. Though limits to digestion in and absorption from the small intestine can be demonstrated by infusing starch and glucose into the duodenum, enzymatic capacity does not appear to limit intestinal starch digestion since no plateau in the amount of starch disappearing from the small intestine is detected with typical diets. Yet, extent of digestion is incomplete. Other factors, such as time and surface exposure may limit small intestinal digestion of starch. Processing methods to reduce particle size or alter the protein matrix, which cements starch granules together, will increase the extent of digestion both in the rumen and in the small intestine. Performance data from growing cattle fed processed corn and sorghum grains indicate that starch was used 42% more efficiently if it was digested in the small intestine rather than in the rumen. Though total tract starch digestibility is of primary concern, results support the concept that energetic efficiency of growing ruminants is greater if starch is digested in the small intestine rather than in the rumen.