Effects of stage of maturity on ensiling characteristics and ruminal nutrient degradability of oat silage

A study was conducted to determine the effects of stage of maturity on ensiling characteristics and ruminal nutrient degradability of oat silage. Oat was field grown and forage was harvested at the boot or soft dough stage and ensiled in mini-silos for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 45 days. Two lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were used determine ruminal nutrient degradability. Regardless of the stage of maturity, ensiled forages went through a rapid fermentation with a sharp decline in pH during the first 2 days of ensiling. Extensive proteolysis took place between 0 and 2 days as indicated by a reduction in true protein and neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDICP) and an increase in non-protein nitrogen (NPN). Chemical analysis of the 45 days silage showed that stage of maturity had no effect on neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of oat silage. However, oat harvested at the boot stage contained more crude protein (CP) and less starch than that harvested at the soft dough stage. Distribution of protein fractions showed that oat harvested at the boot stage contained lower NPN, NDICP and acid detergent insoluble protein than oat harvested at the soft dough stage. Results of the in situ incubation experiment indicated that oat harvested at the soft dough stage had lower ruminal dry matter (60.6 vs. 66.4%), CP (81.3 vs. 88.7%) and NDF (35.4 vs. 42.2%) degradabilities than oat harvested at the boot stage. It was concluded that chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradability of oat silage are significantly influenced by stage of maturity.     

大小粒型藜麦籽粒表型、灌浆特性及淀粉合成酶活性的差异分析

【目的】籽粒大小是影响藜麦产量、商品性和加工特性的重要因素,考察灌浆期大小粒型藜麦籽粒表型、灌浆特性和淀粉合成酶活性的差异,为大粒型藜麦品种的选育提供理论指导。【方法】选择千粒重大于5.0 g和小于3.0 g的藜麦材料各两份,在青海省农林科学院种质资源创新试验基地进行田间试验,比较自灌浆期始7 d、14 d、21 d和28 d籽粒表型、灌浆特性和淀粉合成酶活性等在大小粒型藜麦间的差异。【结果】（1）大小粒型藜麦籽粒面积、周长、直径、粒长、粒宽表型性状随着生育时期均极显著增大,且粒型间存在显著差异,并以籽粒面积和周长差异最大,大粒型藜麦显著高于小粒型藜麦9.12%~11.54%和21.49~23.92%。（2）灌浆期间大粒型藜麦百粒干重始终显著高于同期小粒型藜麦,平均增幅在21.23%～31.04%;大小粒型藜麦灌浆速率随生育期均先上升后下降,均符合“慢-快-慢”的变化规律,但达到峰值时间和峰高明显不同,大粒型峰值出现早而高,小粒型则低而迟。（3）淀粉分支酶（SBE）、蔗糖合成酶（SS）、可溶性淀粉合成酶（SSS）和ADPG焦磷酸化酶（AGP）在大小粒型藜麦籽粒灌浆期呈现不同的变化趋势,SBE和SS活性表现为小粒型藜麦强于大粒型藜麦,而SSS和AGP活性则表现为大粒型藜麦强于小粒型藜麦。【结论】藜麦籽粒灌浆期间4种淀粉合成酶活性的差异,致使淀粉合成积累量和灌浆速率峰值的不同,进而形成籽粒表型性状的差异,而SSS和AGPase是影响藜麦籽粒大小形成的关键酶。     

60份国内外藜麦材料子粒的品质性状分析

研究藜麦子粒的品质性状,可以为藜麦育种、加工及消费提供参考。本研究对4份国内和56份国外藜麦材料子粒的品质性状进行了分析,结果表明60份藜麦材料子粒的千粒重、灰分、蛋白质、淀粉、脂肪、粗纤维、总黄酮和总多酚平均含量分别为4.23 g、2.28%、14.03%、57.71%、6.53%、2.46%、1.83 mg/g和1.49 mg/g。国内藜麦材料的灰分、蛋白质和总多酚平均含量较高,分别为3.47%、14.92%和1.78 mg/g;秘鲁藜麦材料的脂肪、粗纤维和总黄酮平均含量较高,分别为6.69%、2.66%和2.03 mg/g;美国藜麦材料的淀粉平均含量较高,为59.91%;玻利维亚藜麦材料的千粒重较高,为4.32 g;不同子粒颜色藜麦材料之间的品质存在差异,黑色藜麦材料的蛋白质含量较高,白色和红色藜麦材料的淀粉含量较高,红色和黑色藜麦材料的粗纤维、总黄酮和总多酚含量较高。     

Einfluß der Futterration und des Entnahmezeitpunktes von Pansensaft auf seine Zusammensetzung in Untersuchungen an Kühen

Different starch components were added to rations with maize silage measuring the influence of the supplements on the digestibility and energy content of maize silage in cattle (n = 36) and sheep (n = 36). The starch‐rich components maize, wheat, barley, oat, cassava meal and potatoe starch were added to the total rations on average of 33%. All supplements were ground (sieve of 2.5 mm), additionally, wheat was added in extruded or crushed form. All rations including the control ration without starch components were supplemented with soybean meal to an average crude protein content of 12.4% DM. The mean starch content of the total rations was 42% DM.

The supplementation of maize silage with the different starch components increased the digestibility of the organic matter of all rations on average only slightly from 77% to 78% in cattle, while the mean digestibility in sheep rised from 74% to 79% more pronounced. However, the influence of the different starch components on the digestibility was similiar for both ruminants. The supplementation with the ground, crushed or extruded wheat, with barley and with oats impaired the digestibility of the crude fibre of the total ration and of the maize silage, respectively. Therefore, the digestibility of the organic matter of maize silage was reduced and the energy content decreased by about 6% in comparison to the control ration without starch supplementation. However, the supplementation with maize, cassava meal or pota‐toe starch had no negative effects on the digestiblity and energy content of maize silage.     

Effect of water-soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides isolated from wheat flour on the rheological properties of wheat starch gel

Water-soluble (WSP) and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (WIP) were isolated from wheat flour to evaluate the effects of WSP and WIP on starch gel properties. Isolated WSP and WIP were added to two types of isolated wheat starch with different amylose content at a concentration of 3% based on the dry weight of starch. 30% starch gels were prepared and stored at 5 °C for 1, 8, or 24 h. The dynamic viscoelasticity of 30% starch gels mixed with WSP and WIP was measured using parallel plate geometry, showing that WSP and WIP affected the elastic component of starch gels in opposite ways. Adding WIP increased the storage shear modulus (G′) of starch gels, while adding WSP decreased G′ and dramatically increased the loss tangent (tan δ=G″/G′).     

控水对饲草作物间作群体产量、根冠比及水分利用效率的影响

黄土高原半湿润易旱区降水资源短缺且年际分配不均,研究水分供应对饲草作物生长的影响对该区饲草栽培具有重要的指导意义。在遮雨棚中采用盆栽控水的方法,研究了箭筈豌豆单作、燕麦单作、饲用玉米单作、燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作、燕麦/饲用玉米间作5种种植模式在高水(70%田间持水量)、中水(55%田间持水量)、低水(40%田间持水量)3个供水水平下的群体产量、根冠比以及水分利用效率。结果表明: 在高、中、低3个供水水平下,燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的土地当量比分别为1.20、1.21和1.19,燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的土地当量比分别为1.17、1.11和1.03,均表现为间作优势。同一供水水平下,5种种植模式中单作饲用玉米总干物质产量最高,单作箭筈豌豆最低。单作燕麦的干物质产量和粗蛋白产量均随水分供应量的减少而增加,而单作箭筈豌豆和单作玉米则表现出相反的趋势。在个体水平上,间作提高了燕麦干物质产量和粗蛋白产量,而降低了箭筈豌豆和饲用玉米的产量,燕麦表现为间作优势。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体干物质产量在中水和低水处理下比高水处理分别增加4.1%和4.8%,但差异不显著;而燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体干物质产量在中水和低水处理比高水处理分别显著降低8.0%和13.0%。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的根冠比在中水和低水处理下分别比高水处理显著增加33.4%和58.4%,中水和低水处理显著降低了燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的根冠比。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的水分利用效率在中水和低水处理下分别比高水处理显著增加11.7%和12.9%,而燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的水分利用效率在中水和低水处理下与高水处理相比变化不显著。单作玉米和燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的产量较高,但其对水分变化较为敏感、产量稳定性差,燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体在水分变化条件下产量稳定、粗蛋白产量占优、水分利用效率较高,建议在研究区使用。     

Starch-based spherical aggregates: stability of a model flavouring compound, vanillin entrapped therein

Studies on the stability of the vanillin entrapped within the spherical aggregates obtained from amaranth (Amaranthus paniculatus L.), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and colocasia (Colocasia esculenta L.) in the presence of gum Arabic, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and carrageenan at 0.1–1.0% as bonding agents, were obtained by spray drying a 20% (w/w) starch dispersion at 120 °C. Vanillin was used at 5% based on starch (bos). The loss of vanillin over a 6-week storage period followed a first order kinetics. The stability was evaluated in terms of t_1/2 (weeks) from a semi-log plot of percentage retention of vanillin vs. storage time in weeks. The t_1/2 for the total vanillin and entrapped vanillin within the spherical aggregates prepared from different starches decreased in the order, amaranth>colocasia>chenopodium>rice. The t_1/2 decreased with an increase in the amylose content of the starches, although it was not linear. With respect to the bonding agent the stability decreased in the order, gum Arabic>CMC>carrageenan. While CMC and carrageenan gave an increasing value of t_1/2 with an increase in concentration from 0.5 to 1.0%, gum Arabic surprisingly gave a higher t_1/2 value at 0.5% as compared to 1.0%.     

Apparent Precaecal Digestibility of Nutrients and Level of Endogenous Nitrogen in Digesta of the Small Intestine of Growing Pigs as Affected by Various Digesta Viscosities

Sixteen male growing pigs of about 24kg BW were fitted with both a duodenal re-entrant and a post-valve T-shaped cannula inserted in the caecum. The animals were divided into four groups. Each group received one of the following diets: corn starch-soybean protein isolate-based diet without (diet C) and with carboxymethylcellulose (diet CMC) or a rye-wheat-based diet without (diet RW) and with xylanase addition (diet RWX). The diets provided similar levels of apparent precaecal digestible crude protein (CP), lysine, methionine+cystine, threonine and tryptophan. Additionally, [¹⁵N]-yeast was given with the diets during the first 10 days of the experiment. For estimation of digesta viscosity, N-flow of dietary and endogenous origin, apparent precaecal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), CP, amino acids and non starch polysaccharides (NSP) (only in pigs fed diets RW and RWX), ileal and duodenal digesta were quantitatively collected on day 16 and 17, respectively. The endogenous N-proportion was measured by the ratio of ¹⁵N enrichment in the digesta and urine. The duodenal and ileal digesta supernatant viscosity increased as carboxymethylcellulose was included into the diet. Xylanase addition to the rye-wheat based diet reduced the viscosity in the ileal digesta. There were no differences in precaecal digestibilities of DM, CP and amino acids between diet C and CMC. The precaecal digestibilities of DM and soluble and insoluble NSP increased from 69.5% to 73.9%, from 1.3% to 47.9% and from 17.0% to 35.4%, respectively, as xylanase was added to the rye-wheat-based diet. The apparent precaecal digestibility of most essential amino acids increased by 2 to 5 percent units. The amounts of endogenous N at the duodenal level were estimated to be 158, 233, 313 and 276mg per 12h per kg^0.75 BW of pigs fed diets C, CMC, RW and RWX, respectively. The corresponding values at the ileal level were 95, 107, 164 and 150mg per 12h per kg^0.75 BW. For endogenous N amounts, significant differences were observed between diets C and CMC (duodenum) and also between semi-purified and cereal-based diets (duodenum and ileum). Methodological aspects for the estimation of endogenous N using the isotope dilution technique are discussed. Obviously, the digesta viscosity per se does not affect the nutrient absorption and endogenous N flow within the small intestine of pigs. Other properties of complex dietary fibre, digesta passage rate or bacterial activity probably contribute to the observed changes.     

Purification and mode of action of an alkali-resistant endo-1, 4-beta-glucanase from Bacillus pumilus

Alkaline endo-1,4-beta-d-glucanase was secreted by Bacillus pumilus grown in submerged culture on a combination of oat spelt xylan and corn starch as carbon sources. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by Sephacryl S-200 and Q-Sepharose column chromatography. The protein corresponded to molecular mass and pI values of 67 kDa and 3.7, respectively. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 7.0-8.0 and 60 degrees C and retained 50% of its optimum activity at pH 12. The most notable characteristic of the endoglucanase was its high stability up to pH 12 for 20 h at 30 degrees C. The enzyme hydrolyzed carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and cello-oligosaccharides but was inactive on cellobiose, cellotriose, Avicel, xylan, 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-glucoside, 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-cellobioside, and 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-xyloside. Analysis of reaction mixtures by HPLC revealed that the enzyme produced almost exclusively cellotriose when acted on CMC and appeared to hydrolyze cello-oligosaccharides by successively releasing cellotriose. The use of 4-methylumbelliferyl cello-oligosaccharides and the determination of bond cleavage frequency revealed that the enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed the third glycosidic bond adjacent to the glycon. The enzyme mediated a decrease in the viscosity of CMC associated with a release of only small amounts of reducing sugar. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by metal ions, surfactants, and chelating agents used as components of laundry detergents.     

Characterization of films made with chayote tuber and potato starches blending with cellulose nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to characterize chayotextle starch films reinforced with cellulose (C) and cellulose nanoparticle (CN) (at concentrations of 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.8% and 1.2%), using thermal, mechanical, physicochemical, permeability, and water solubility tests. C was acid-treated to obtain CN. The films were prepared by casting; potato starch and C were used as the control. The solubility of the starch films decreased with the addition of C and CN compared with its respective film without C and CN. No statistical difference (α = 0.05) was found in the films added with different concentrations of C and CN. In general, the mechanical properties were improved with the addition of C and CN, and higher values of tensile strength and elastic modulus were determined in the films reinforced with CN. The melting temperature and enthalpy increased with the addition of C and CN, and the values of both thermal parameters were higher in the films with CN than with C; the enthalpy value of the film decreased when the concentration of C or CN increased in the composite. Low concentration of C and CN is better distributed in the matrix film. The addition of C and CN in the starch films improved some mechanical, barrier, and functional properties.     

Carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose as additives in reduction of oil content in batter based deep-fat fried boondis

Studies on boondi, a deep fried batter based legume snack food popular in the Indian sub-continent were conducted to reduce oil content. Effects of varying the water levels in the batter on the shape of the resulting boondi were noted. The effects of incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydro-xypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) in the bengal gram flour on the water levels so as to get appropriate batter viscosity for getting round shaped boondi were also recorded. The addition of 2% CMC and 1% HPMC (based on weight of bengal gram flour) in the dough decreased oil content in the fried boondi by 26.2% and 22.7% respectively as compared to the control.     

Effect of psyllium husk and wheat mill bran fractions on the microstructure and mixograph characteristics of Arabic bread

When psyllium husk, wheat bran and germ was added, Incorporation of psyllium and wheat bran may affect the dough structure, dough rheology as well as the final quality of baked Arabic flat bread, which, thus, became important for this study. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) taken on Arabic bread, depicted both intact small and the large starch granules on the outer crust area. This was mainly due to the rapid loss of moisture from the Arabic bread surface during intense baking operation leaving less moisture for gelatinization to take place. With psyllium added to WWF at 0, 3, and 5 % level, the peak time was increased from 3 to 4.5 min. The ascending and descending angle values were more or less identical in all the samples except with wheat germ addition, whereas much lower values (51 to 58°) for these parameters were observed, indicating a faster rate of dough breakdown. With psyllium, fine- and coarse bran addition to WWF, a corresponding increase in peak time was observed. Ascending and descending angles showed similar trends to that of the WWF and psyllium combinations. Use of falling number apparatus is an indirect method of measuring the diastatic enzyme activity in cereal flours. WGF showed lower falling-number values (502 s) than the WWF (607 s). Addition of fine bran to WWF lowered the falling number (607 to 563 s) whereas with coarse wheat bran and germ, these values were increased.     

Comparing Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Starch as Thickeners in Oil/Water Emulsions. Implications on Rheological and Structural Properties

The study reported here aims to obtain information on how thickener type and concentration, and oil content influence rheology, particle size, particle charge and microstructure in o/w model emulsions. Emulsions were prepared at two oil concentrations (5 and 30 % wt/wt), each with three CMC concentrations (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 % wt/wt), or three starch concentrations (2, 3, and 4 % wt/wt). For each oil concentration, a sample without any added thickener was prepared as reference. Both CMC and swollen starch granules showed a dominating effect on emulsion flow behavior, although the presence and concentration of fat droplets also played an important role. Viscoelasticity of CMC-based emulsions mainly depended of oil concentration whilst in starch-based emulsions the most influential ingredient was starch. A similar situation was detected in terms of particle size distribution; CMC effect was dependent on oil content and starch effect was mainly related to the volume occupied by swollen granules. Differences in microstructure and particle size distribution between CMC and starch emulsions were related to their rheological behavior. Apart from enabling the acquisition of food emulsions with different composition but with similar rheological behavior by adding different hydrocolloids, here we consider thickener effect on other properties in order to obtain food emulsions with adequate characteristics.     

Cassava stems: a new resource to increase food and fuel production

Given the growing global population, mankind must find new ways to lower competition for land between food and fuel production. Our findings for cassava suggest that this important crop can substantially increase the combined production of both food and fuel. Cassava stems have previously been overlooked in starch and energy production. These food‐crop residues contain about 30% starch (dry mass) mostly in the xylem rather than phloem tissue. Up to 15% starch of the stem dry mass can be extracted using simple water‐based techniques, potentially leading to an 87% increase in global cassava starch production. The integration of biofuel production, using residues and wastewater from starch extraction, may bring added value. The cassava roots on which biofuels and other products are based can be replaced by cassava stems without land use expansion, making root starch available as food for additional 30 million people today.     

水分和腐植酸对燕麦果聚糖代谢的影响

探讨水分和腐植酸(HA)对燕麦不同器官非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)积累与分配的影响,进一步明确水分和HA对燕麦糖代谢和粒重形成的作用机制,可为旱作地区燕麦的推广种植提供理论指导和技术支撑。试验以‘蒙农大燕1号'和‘内燕5号'两个燕麦品种为材料,分别在旱作(无灌溉)和有限灌溉(拔节期和抽穗期每次灌水60 mm)两个水分条件下喷施HA与清水(CK),研究燕麦开花后不同时期NSC组分在茎、叶、穗中的动态变化以及叶片中碳代谢相关酶活性的变化。结果表明: 两个燕麦品种茎、叶、穗中的NSC组分含量均随开花后时间的延长先升高后降低,且两品种各器官中的NSC组分含量大致相同;与CK相比,在灌水条件下喷施HA后蒙农大燕1号穗部的果聚糖含量提升幅度明显大于旱作条件;喷施HA后蒙农大燕1号叶片中果聚糖外水解酶和转化酶活性分别显著提高了27.1%和30.6%,单穗粒重显著提高了55.9%,且与旱作条件下相比提高幅度更大;蒙农大燕1号籽粒千粒重和单穗粒重与叶片果聚糖含量呈显著正相关关系。综上,水分和腐植酸协同作用可以有效调节燕麦果聚糖的积累及主要代谢酶活性,从而提高千粒重和单穗粒重,促进产量形成。     

Plasticized waxy maize starch: effect of polyols and relative humidity on material properties

The plasticizing effect of different polyols such as glycerol, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol on waxy maize starch was investigated. The concentration of plasticizer was fixed at 33 wt % (dry basis of starch). The structure and mechanical performance of resulting films conditioned at different relative humidity levels were studied in detail. The effect of the plasticizer on the glass-rubber transition temperature (T(g)) and crystallinity was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that T(g) decreases with increasing moisture content and decreasing molecular weight of the plasticizer. The water resistance of starch increased steadily with the molecular weight of the plasticizer and was directly proportional to the ratio of the end to total hydroxyl groups. As the molecular weight of the plasticizer increased, the brittleness of the dry system increased. However, the use of high molecular plasticizer allowed good mechanical properties of the moist material to be obtained in terms of both stiffness and elongation at break.     

Application of Ethylcellulose Coating to Hydrophilic Matrices: A Strategy to Modulate Drug Release Profile and Reduce Drug Release Variability

Hydrophilic matrix tablets are commonly used for extended release dosage forms. For low aqueous-solubility drugs, there may be challenges in modulation of release profiles and achieving consistent release in physiological conditions. To evaluate potential formulation strategies, matrix tablets of a low-soluble drug, hydrochlorothiazide, were developed using hypromellose and two fillers of different solubility, lactose (soluble) or partially pregelatinized maize starch (partially soluble). Additionally, application of an insoluble barrier membrane, aqueous ethylcellulose coating system, and a hydrophilic pore former onto matrix tablets was evaluated. Drug release from uncoated matrix tablets was variable at different agitation rates. Evaluation of tablets in bio-relevant media using physiologically relevant residence time indicated variable and higher initial release rate for uncoated matrices containing lactose but more robust behavior for tablets containing partially pregelatinized starch. Such in vitro behavior may lead to erratic drug release in vivo, when comparing fed versus fasted conditions. Dissolution profiles from barrier membrane-coated tablets showed initial delay, followed by zero-order release kinetics, with reduction or elimination of variability compared to uncoated matrices. Such reduced variability may mitigate mechanical effects of post-prandial stomach. Effects of coating weight gain and inclusion levels of pore former were evaluated and found to be critical in achieving robust and stable release profiles.     

The influence of lead,cadmium, and nickel on the growth of ryegrass and oats

Summary A 2⁴ factorial experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. Factors and levels in the experiment were soil pH at 4.5 and 6.4, and cadmium, lead, and nickel added to the soil to provide soil concentrations of 50, 250, and 50 ppm, respectively, above background levels. Two species were grown in succession in the same experimental pots. Ryegrass (Lolium hybridum Hausskn. cv. Tetrelite) was harvested three times and then one crop of oats (Avena sativa L. cv. Garry) was grown and harvested. Plant tissue concentrations of cadmium, lead, and nickel were monitored throughout the experiment.Addition of cadmium to the soil lowered the dry matter yields in all three ryegrass harvests and also reduced the yield of oat grain. The application of lead nitrate to the soil enhanced the yield of ryegrass obtained at the first harvest and also increased the yield of oat grain. Nickel, added to the soil at 50 ppm, was relatively innocuous to ryegrass and oats.The presence of added cadmium, lead, or nickel to the soil resulted in enhanced tissue concentrations of these metals in both ryegrass and oats. This effect was particularly enhanced by a soil pH of 4.5. A single exception to this observation was that lead was not detected, under any of the conditions of this experiment, in oat grain.The presence of lead in the soil enhanced cadmium concentrations in ryegrass tissues. The presence of cadmium in the soil decreased lead tissue concentrations in ryegrass and oat straw. Soil pH interacted with both nickel and lead in the second ryegrass harvest with subsequent changes in tissue cadmium concentrations. At a soil pH of 4.5, the presence of added lead or nickel to the soil significantly increased the ryegrass tissue cadmium concentration beyond that observed at a soil pH of 6.4 with or without enhanced nickel or lead concentrations.     

Bioavailability of starch and postprandial changes in splanchnic glucose metabolism in pigs

Changes in splanchnic metabolism in pigs were assessed after meals containing slowly or rapidly digested starch. The pigs were fed a mixed meal containing a "slow" native (n = 5) or a "rapid" pregelatinized (n = 5) cornstarch naturally enriched with [(13)C]glucose. Absorption of [(13)C]glucose was monitored by the arteriovenous difference technique, and infusion of D-[6, 6-(2)H(2)]glucose in the jugular vein was used to calculate the systemic appearance of [(13)C]glucose. Arteriovenous balance data obtained during a 12-h study period showed that the fraction of ingested glucose equivalent appearing as glucose in the portal vein was 49.7 +/- 7.2% for the slow starch and 48.2 +/- 7.5% for the rapid starch (P = 0.86). These values, corrected for the gut extraction of circulating [(13)C]glucose, became 66.4 +/- 5.6 and 65. 3 +/- 5.6%, respectively (P = 0.35). Isotope dilution data indicated that systemic appearance of exogenous [(13)C]glucose represented 62. 9 +/- 7.6 and 67.4 +/- 3.0% of the oral load for slow and rapid starch, respectively (P = 0.68). Arterial glucose utilization by the gut increased from 7.3 +/- 0.9 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) before the meal to 8.5 +/- 1.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) during absorption, independently of the nature of the starch. Thus splanchnic glucose metabolism was unaffected by the nature of starch ingested.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vivo</Emphasis> Evaluation of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride Microsponges for Topical Delivery

Hydroxyzine HCl is used in oral formulations for the treatment of urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Dizziness, blurred vision, and anticholinergic responses, represent the most common side effects. It has been shown that controlled release of the drug from a delivery system to the skin could reduce the side effects while reducing percutaneous absorption. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to produce an effective drug-loaded dosage form that is able to control the release of hydroxyzine hydrochloride into the skin. The Microsponge Delivery System is a unique technology for the controlled release of topical agents, and it consists of porous polymeric microspheres, typically 10–50 μm in diameter, loaded with active agents. Eudragit RS-100 microsponges of the drug were prepared by the oil in an oil emulsion solvent diffusion method using acetone as dispersing solvent and liquid paraffin as the continuous medium. Magnesium stearate was added to the dispersed phase to prevent flocculation of Eudragit RS-100 microsponges. Pore inducers such as sucrose and pregelatinized starch were used to enhance the rate of drug release. Microsponges of nearly 98% encapsulation efficiency and 60–70% porosity were produced. The pharmacodynamic effect of the chosen preparation was tested on the shaved back of histamine-sensitized rabbits. Histopathological studies were driven for the detection of the healing of inflamed tissues.