Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
08:52
Method to Produce Durable Pellets at Lower Energy Consumption Using High Moisture Corn Stover and a Corn Starch Binder in a Flat Die Pellet Mill
Published on: June 15, 2016
[Energy utilization of retrograded starch by sows]
1Institut für Ernährungsphysiologie der TU München, Freising-Weihenstephan.
Zeitschrift Fur Ernahrungswissenschaft
|January 23, 1999
Summary
Retrograded starch (RGS) improves bowel function in sows but has slightly lower energy utilization than pregelatinized wheat starch (PWS). RGS increases fecal output and methane production, unlike PWS.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Digestive Physiology
- Starch Metabolism
Background:
- Investigating the nutritional properties of different starch types is crucial for optimizing animal feed.
- Retrograded starch (RGS) and pregelatinized wheat starch (PWS) have distinct structural properties influencing digestion.
- Understanding their impact on energy utilization and gut health is essential for swine production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the energetic utilization, nitrogen balance, and digesta passage rate of RGS versus PWS in adult sows.
- To evaluate the effects of supplementing a basal diet with RGS and PWS at different levels (12 and 24 g/kg W0.75).
- To assess the impact of these starches on methane production and fecal characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A total metabolism trial was conducted with eight adult sows using a change-over design.
- Balance measurements included daily feces and urine collection over 3-week periods.
- Gas exchange was measured in a respiration chamber over 48 hours; energy retention was calculated using carbon-nitrogen balance and RQ methods.
Main Results:
- Digestibility, metabolizability of energy, and energy retention were lower with RGS compared to PWS.
- RGS supplementation increased fecal nitrogen excretion and methane production, while PWS did not significantly alter fecal volume.
- Mean retention time was reduced by PWS (75 h) and further by RGS (65 h) compared to the basal diet (86 h).
Conclusions:
- Retrograded starch functions as a fiber-like nutrient, promoting beneficial effects on bowel function in sows.
- Energetic utilization of RGS is only slightly lower than non-resistant starch, refuting its classification as a 'low energy' substance.
- RGS offers advantages for gut health, but PWS may be more energetically efficient in swine diets.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
01:34Introduction to Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary macronutrients in the human diet. However, carbohydrates are the most favored source of energy in the body. They can be found in a wide variety of foods, including whole grains, fruit, and vegetables, in various forms, such as sugars, starch, and dietary fiber. Based on their structure, carbohydrates are classified into three main classes— monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. The body's cells can only utilize simple...
01:27Production of Alcohol
Continuous fermentation is a key strategy in industrial ethanol production, particularly when efficiency, scalability, and high yields are essential. This approach allows for uninterrupted operation and optimized resource utilization. The primary feedstock, corn starch, undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis facilitated by α-amylase and glucoamylase. These enzymes break down the starch into fermentable sugars such as glucose, which are readily assimilated by fermentative microorganisms.Fermentation...
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...