In-vitro starch and protein digestion in field peas (Pisum sativum L.) reveal particle size dependence

摘要

Starch and proteins are important nutrients in pig feeds, and are digested into smaller molecular compounds prior to absorption. Field peas contain these nutrients, are low in anti-nutritional factors compared with other pulses, and are used in cereal-based diets as protein supplements with acceptable animal performance (Stein et al., 2010). Grains are milled prior to use in pig diets. Hammer-, roller- and disc-milling are commonly used, with differences in particle size distribution (Sopade et al.,2011). Although the dependence of starch digestion on particle size has been well studied, limited studies exist as to how particle size affects starch and protein digestion in the same or different materials (Tinus et al., 2012). Knowledge of starch andprotein digestion is also valuable to understanding nutrient asynchrony in feeds. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between particle size and starch and protein digestion in field peas. The hypotheses were that starch and protein digest at the same rate in field peas, and either digestion is independent of particle size.