Fructan, Sugar and Starch Concentrations in North American Grass
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Fructan, Sugar and Starch Concentrations in North American Grass Kathryn Watts, Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting, Inc TAKE HOME MESSAGE NSC concentrations in grass vary in areas with different species and growing conditions. INTRODUCTION Data implicating pasture NSC concentrations sufficient to induce laminitis in the field have been generated in growth chambers or other countries. These data have little relevance to horses at pasture in North America. MATERIALS AND METHODS 24 selections of grass were planted in randomized blocks with four replications in Colorado and Utah. Grass was harvested 8 times per growing season for 2 years and snap frozen. Samples were analyzed quantifying fructan, sugar and starch separately. Means and data sorting were done in Excel. RESULTS Species common to the Intermountain region had maxi- mum fructan levels between 10 and 15% of dry matter, peaking in May and early November. Sugar ranged from 10 to 18 % dm, peaking in the first new growth in early May and again after onset of freezing temperatures in fall. Maximum starch levels ranged from 2-4 %. NSC concentration was 4-10% higher in the colder climate. DISCUSSION Levels of fructan, sugar and starch in grass vary significantly by species and environmental conditions. In order to associate NSC with laminitis development data must be gathered in each bioregion, under field conditions, during the period when laminitis occurs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Quantification of fructan, sugar and starch concentration in grass under local field conditions is essential to create realistic models for laminitis research. CONCLUSION Pasture associated laminitis is likely to occur in spring and fall in the Intermountain region of North America when NSCs are 15% fructan, 15% sugar, and 3% starch. Abstracts Vol 30, No 2 (2010) 117
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Transcript of Fructan, Sugar and Starch Concentrations in North American Grass
Abstracts � Vol 30, No 2 (2010) 117
Fructan, Sugar and StarchConcentrations in North AmericanGrassKathryn Watts, Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting,Inc
TAKE HOME MESSAGENSC concentrations in grass vary in areas with differentspecies and growing conditions.
INTRODUCTIONData implicating pasture NSC concentrations sufficient toinduce laminitis in the field have been generated in growthchambers or other countries. These data have little relevanceto horses at pasture in North America.
MATERIALS AND METHODS24 selections of grass were planted in randomized blockswith four replications in Colorado and Utah. Grass washarvested 8 times per growing season for 2 years andsnap frozen. Samples were analyzed quantifying fructan,sugar and starch separately. Means and data sorting weredone in Excel.
RESULTSSpecies common to the Intermountain region had maxi-mum fructan levels between 10 and 15% of dry matter,peaking in May and early November. Sugar ranged from10 to 18 % dm, peaking in the first new growth in earlyMay and again after onset of freezing temperatures infall. Maximum starch levels ranged from 2-4 %. NSCconcentration was 4-10% higher in the colder climate.
DISCUSSIONLevels of fructan, sugar and starch in grass vary significantlyby species and environmental conditions. In order toassociate NSC with laminitis development data must begathered in each bioregion, under field conditions, duringthe period when laminitis occurs.
CLINICAL RELEVANCEQuantification of fructan, sugar and starch concentrationin grass under local field conditions is essential to createrealistic models for laminitis research.
CONCLUSIONPasture associated laminitis is likely to occur in spring andfall in the Intermountain region of North America whenNSCs are 15% fructan, 15% sugar, and 3% starch.
