Why is Corns Fiber Content Low despite Non-Digestibility of Kernel?
Nutritional Content
Can the human body digest corn?
The human body is unable to digest corn, as it contains protein, sugar, starch, and fat, which are all digested in the gastrointestinal tract and absorbed into the bloodstream according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2020. One cup of cooked frozen corn provides 159 calories, 5.1 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 36.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 4.7 grams of sugar.
What is the nutritional value of Palm Kernel Cake?
Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) can be used as poultry feed and provides moderate nutrition with its crude protein and crude fiber content. Mentioned in a study published in the journal Improving Nutritional Values of Palm Kernel in 2014 by researchers from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, PKC contains 16-18% of crude protein and 13-20% of crude fiber. PKC is a by-product of palm kernel oil extraction.
What are the five types of corn grain?
Corn grain can be divided into five types, based on kernel characteristics, with each type having a different starch digestibility: flint, popcorn, floury, dent and sweet corn. (Corona et al., 2006). Flint corn has hard-textured, densely packed, crystalline starch, while floury corn has softer texture and is easier to digest.
Digestibility
What are the five types of corn grain?
Corn grain can be divided into five types based on kernel characteristics, with flint corn having a hard-textured, densely packed, crystalline starch endosperm, according to Corona et al., 2006 from Pioneer. The endosperm of floury corn is soft and contains a higher amylose content than the other four types of corn.
What health benefits can dietary fiber provide?
The FDA has provided examples of dietary fibers that, when demonstrated in humans, can be proposed to be included in the definition of "dietary fiber", with one example being the lowering of blood glucose levels. Via the FDA's "Questions and Answers on Dietary Fiber" page (FDA, 2021), dietary fiber can have significant health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
What impact does processing corn have on digestibility?
Processing corn does not have a significant impact on digestibility of dry matter, starch, protein, or fiber, according to research conducted by The Ohio State University. As reported by the authors, a 44% increase in fecal starch excretion was observed, which is a variable monitored by feedlot nutritionists. Nutrient profiles and digestibility vary slightly depending on the type of corn processing method used.
Flavor
Can eating too much corn cause digestive issues?
Eating too much corn can cause digestive issues like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain due to its high fiber content, according to Livestrong.com on July 21, 2022. A cup of sweet corn contains 3.3 grams of fiber, which is 13% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults assigned female at birth. Consuming high-fiber foods in moderation is recommended for optimal digestion.
Can beef cattle be fed immature corn?
Feeding corn to beef cattle can provide a balanced nutrient profile, as the nutrient content of immature and mature corn can vary significantly. Via NDSU Agriculture and Extension, harvesting immature corn can be difficult, but it can be done as ear or snapped corn after it is dry, or as earlage when stored wet in a silo structure. It is important to note that harvesting and storage methods can affect the quality of the feed.
What is dietary fiber?
The FDA has defined "dietary fiber" as non-digestible carbohydrates and lignin that have three or more monomeric units. From the Nutrition Facts Label final rule, this definition applies to all food products. Dietary fiber is beneficial for regulating digestion and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Color
How does drought affect corn yield and forage quality?
Drought conditions can negatively affect corn yield and grain content, resulting in increased fiber content and lower lignin production which increases fiber digestibility. This was confirmed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Agronomy Department in a study conducted in 2023, noting that forage quality of normally pollinated corn may be compromised as a result. Research reveals that crops are more sensitive to drought stress during the flowering stage.
What dietary fibers have been demonstrated to lower blood glucose in humans?
The FDA has provided examples of dietary fibers that can be proposed for inclusion in the definition of dietary fiber, such as those that have been demonstrated to lower blood glucose in humans. According to the FDA website, these examples are provided as part of their Questions and Answers on Dietary Fiber, released in December 2021. Research has also shown that dietary fiber may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What is the difference in starch digestibility between corn silage and grain?
Corn silage and grain have different levels of starch digestibility; the former having 4.6% and the latter having 3.3% units of total tract digestibility of starch. From a study conducted by DAIReXNET in 2019, the mean particle sizes of the two corn grains were 1.4 and 1.6 mm. It was found that total organic matter was also 3.3% units different between the two grains.
Texture
What affects NDF digestibility of forages?
Plant genetics and maturity both affect the NDF digestibility of forages, with brown midrib corn varieties, sorghum and sudangrass having higher digestibility than regular corn. As stated in an article by Team Forage on extension.wisc.edu in 2016, maturity mechanisms in legumes reduce NDF digestibility similarly to grasses and corn silage.
Can eating sweet corn cause digestive issues?
Sweet corn can contribute to digestive problems such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, according to Livestrong.com. One cup of sweet corn contains 3.3 grams of fiber, which is close to 13 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for adults assigned female at birth. Eating too much fiber can lead to digestive issues in some people.
Does increasing the mean particle size of corn grain decrease starch digestibility?
Increasing the mean particle size of corn grain decreases the total tract digestibility of starch from 91.4 to 69.5%, according to a study by DAIReXNET on dairy-cattle.extension.org in 2019. This decrease in apparent digestibility was not compensated for in the intestines.
Availability
What is soluble corn fiber?
Soluble corn fiber is a type of fiber used to improve texture and sweetness in processed food products, particularly those labeled low-carb or keto-friendly. As indicated by Healthline, it is high in fiber and low in calories. It may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Is carbohydrate eligible for inclusion in the definition of dietary fiber?
The FDA has provided examples of dietary fiber, one of which is lowering blood glucose in humans. According to the FDA's "Questions and Answers on Dietary Fiber" page (FDA, 2021), this makes the carbohydrate eligible for inclusion in the definition of dietary fiber. Research has also shown that dietary fiber can significantly reduce cholesterol levels, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Can humans digest corn?
Corn is digestible by the human body, providing 159 calories, 5.1 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 36.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 4.7 grams of sugar per 1 cup of cooked frozen corn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Cost
What is the difference in NDF digestibility between forage #1 and forage #2?
Forage #1 has 7.5 percentage units more total digestible nutrients (TDN) than forage #2, as shown by the NDF digestibility ratings of 60% for forage #1 and 40% for forage #2, according to Team Forage on extension.wisc.edu in 2016. This highlights the importance of considering NDF digestibility when evaluating forages.
What nutrients are found in corn?
Corn contains various nutrients that can be digested and absorbed by the human body, including protein, sugar, starch, and fat. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one cup of cooked frozen corn provides 159 calories, 5.1 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 36.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 4.7 grams of sugar.
How does drought affect corn yields?
Drought conditions during pollination can reduce corn yields and grain content, resulting in increased fiber content and lower lignin production, which increases fiber digestibility. This was found by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Agronomy Department in their report W186 on Jan 22, 2023. The forage quality of corn also has two peaks, at pollination and at harvest maturity.
Variety
What is soluble corn fiber?
Soluble corn fiber is a type of dietary fiber used to add texture and sweetness to processed food products, such as those labeled low carb or keto-friendly, according to Healthline (Mar 18, 2021). It is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a beneficial and healthy supplement to many diets.
How does plant maturity affect NDF digestibility?
NDF digestibility of forages is affected by plant maturity, genetics, and species, with corn varieties with brown midrib genetics having the most digestible NDF. As mentioned in Team Forage at the University of Wisconsin-Extension, 2016, sorghum and sudangrass species tend to be more digestible than corn.
Is corn digestible?
Corn is digestible, containing protein, sugar, starch, and fat that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The USDA reported that 1 cup of cooked frozen corn provides 159 calories, 5.1 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 36.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 4.7 grams of sugar. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), corn is an excellent source of dietary fiber.
Processing Requirements
Can humans digest corn?
Humans cannot digest corn due to the loss of beneficial fiber and nutrients during processing. As noted by Live Science in 2020, processed corn products such as corn oil and high fructose corn syrup lack the necessary fiber and nutrients that are necessary for digestion. Corn is also difficult to digest due to its high cellulose content, which humans lack the enzymes to break down.
Can drought-affected corn still produce good forage quality?
The yield and grain content of drought-affected corn is usually lower with increased fiber content, but this is often accompanied by lower lignin production that increases fiber digestibility. Mentioned in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Crop and Soil Sciences department, pollination of normally grown corn can still produce good forage quality despite the effects of drought. Research has shown that lower lignin production can increase fiber digestibility.
Can eating too much sweet corn cause digestive issues?
Too much fiber from sweet corn can cause digestive issues such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. Attributed to livestrong.com, one cup of sweet corn contains 3.3 grams of fiber, which is about 13 percent of the RDA for adults assigned female at birth and close to 9 percent for those assigned male at birth. The amount of fiber a person needs can vary depending on their age and gender.
Health Benefits
How does drought affect corn forage quality?
Drought reduces corn yield and grain content, leading to higher fiber content but lower lignin production, resulting in improved forage quality, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Agronomy Department (corn.agronomy.wisc.edu, 2023). This can be beneficial for livestock feed as increased fiber digestibility is achieved.
What is the difference in starch digestibility between corn silage and grain?
The digestibility of starch from corn silage and grain was found to be significantly different, with 4.6% and 3.3% units respectively according to a study conducted by DAIReXNET in 2019. The mean particle sizes of the two grains were determined to be 1.4 and 1.6 mm.
Can humans digest corn?
Humans are unable to digest corn due to their lack of the enzyme amylase, which is required to break down the complex carbohydrate found in corn. This has been known since ancient times and was confirmed by scientists more recently. Corn is still an important part of the human diet, however, as it can be processed and cooked in a way that makes it easier for the body to digest.
Source:
- Livestrong : the Human Body, Corn.
- Pioneer : Corn Starch Digestibility, Kernel Characteristics, Pioneer.
- Livestrong : Corn, Digestion Problems, Gas, Bloating.
- Wisc : Concerns, Drought, Corn Pollination.
- Wisc : NDF Digestibility, Forages.
