Effects of storage-handling methods on nutrient analysis of fresh-forage samples.
Abstract: Forage low in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) is recommended for insulin dysregulated (ID) horses, indicating the importance of an accurate forage analysis. However, it remains to be fully understood how handling forage samples pre-analysis impacts nutrient values. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of fresh-forage storage-handling methods: microwave-oven (MO; 9kw; 70s then stored at -20℃), room temperature (20℃), 3℃, -20℃, and -80℃. Subsamples collected from a mixed-grass pasture and a ryegrass plot were analyzed for crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), ethanol soluble carbohydrates (ESC), starch and NSC (starch and WSC). Forage samples were stored for two different time periods (24h vs 1wk) prior to being shipped on ice to a commercial laboratory for wet chemistry (WC) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis. Mixed grass stored at RT showed a reduction in WSC (P=0.009), ESC (P=0.001) and NSC (P=0.006) from 24h to 1wk. Similarly, ESC and starch of the ryegrass and CP of mixed grass decreased after 1wk, but only when stored at -80℃ (P=0.007; P=0.001; P=0.02). Additionally, over time, CP of ryegrass and ESC of mixed grass became higher when stored at -20℃ and MO, respectively (P=0.02; P=0.03). From this study, in order to limit metabolic changes and provide accurate nutrient composition results, practically fresh forage that cannot be quickly analyzed should be transported on ice post collection to a storage location then immediately refrigerated where it can be kept up to one week prior to being shipped on ice for analysis.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2024-09-04 PubMed ID: 39241896DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105182Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study examines how different storage and handling methods for fresh forage may affect the accuracy of nutrient analysis. The findings suggest that fresh forage should ideally be quickly analyzed or, if that’s not possible, transported on ice to a refrigerated storage location, and it should be kept for no longer than a week before being shipped on ice for analysis.
Objective of the Study
- This research aims at determining how different methods of handling and storing fresh forage before nutrient analysis can impact the values of nutrients. This is important since the accurate analysis of forage nutrients is crucial for feeding insulin dysregulated (ID) horses, which require forage low in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC).
Methods Used in the Study
- Storage and handling methods included keeping the forage in a microwave oven, at room temperature, or at various degrees of cold (3℃, -20℃, and -80℃).
- Subsamples were taken from a mixed-grass pasture and a ryegrass plot, and then analyzed for a variety of nutrients including crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), ethanol soluble carbohydrates (ESC), and NSC (starch and WSC included).
- The storage times before shipping for analysis were 24 hours and 1 week.
- All forage samples were then shipped to a commercial laboratory for further analysis using wet chemistry (WC) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR).
Key Findings
- Mixed grass stored at room temperature showed a reduction in WSC, ESC and NSC values over the period from 24 hours to 1 week.
- For the ryegrass, the values of ESC and starch, as well as the CP value of mixed grass, also decreased, but this occurred only when stored at -80℃.
- However, the values of CP in ryegrass and ESC in mixed grass increased when stored at -20℃ and in the microwave-oven, respectively.
Practical Implications
- In cases where immediate analysis of fresh forage is not possible, it should be transported on ice immediately after collection and then stored in a refrigerated location.
- Given the changes observed in nutrient values under different conditions of storage, fresh forage should ideally be analyzed within 1 week of collection.
Cite This Article
APA
Kerley BS, Harris P, Lea K, McClendon M, Adams AA.
(2024).
Effects of storage-handling methods on nutrient analysis of fresh-forage samples.
J Equine Vet Sci, 142, 105182.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105182 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Mad Barn, 1465 Strasburg Rd. Kitchener, ON N2R 1H2, Canada. Electronic address: bperron@madbarn.com.
- Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Freeby Lane, Waltham-on-the-Wold, Leics. LE14 4RT, UK.
- N-222C Ag. Science Center North, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
- 108 M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
- MARS Equestrian Research Fellow, Department of Veterinary Science, M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication other than through Pat Harris’ role as a co-author.
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