Native carbohydrate fractions of major dietary components in pig nutrition, such as dietary fiber, resistant starch and oligosaccharides in whole cereal grains or grain legumes appear to be appropriate to manipulate the porcine gut microbiota. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to evaluate effects of differences in carbohydrate composition of cereal grains, grain legumes and feed supplements on the intestinal microbiota in pigs. Based on a comprehensive literature research, an overview on the current research on the effect of whole grain cereals and grain legumes as well as their by-products on the pigs’ intestinal microbiota in relation to their carbohydrate composition was given. An in vivo experiment was carried out to determine the effects of 8 recently introduced genotypes of barley or wheat on ileal and fecal microbiota of grower pigs by means of quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, in a second experiment the effect of ultra-fine ground fibers from wheat, lupins and peas in comparison to inulin and basal substrates on the microbiota composition and formation of microbial metabolites was determined in vitro using the modified Hohenheim Gas Test. In agreement with previous studies, the potential to modulate the pigs’ intestinal microbiota with cereal grains and feed supplements based on cereal grain or grain legume fibers was shown. However, it was not possible to assign the observed effects on the bacterial groups to the dietary carbohydrates known to influence the intestinal microbiota, such as arabinoxylan or β-glucan.

In 2013, more than 308 million tons of cereals were produced within the European Union, of which about 60 million tons were grown as barley. The protein content of barley is rather low when compared to protein feedstuffs such as soybean meal. However, due to its high dietary inclusion level, up to half of the protein requirement of pigs can be met by barley.

Presents recent research on metabolism and the health effects of polyphenols Consumer interest in the health benefits of many phenolic compounds found in plant foods and derivatives has grown considerably in recent years, giving rise to an increased demand for functional foods. Although preclinical and observational studies have promoted the protective properties of polyphenols for a range of chronic diseases, evidence has shown that most dietary polyphenols have little bioavailability. Once ingested, most of them are metabolized by either the intestinal enzymes or by the gut microbiota and then undergo extensive phase-II metabolism reaching significant concentrations of conjugated metabolites. They remain in the systemic circulation and target systemic tissues where trigger biological effects. The polyphenol-derived metabolites produced in humans are dependent upon the composition of the gut microbiota and the subject genetics. Thus all the metabolites do not show the same biological activity in different individuals. To fully understand the health effects of polyphenols, further clinical investigations are required. Dietary Polyphenols describes the latest findings on the polyphenol metabolism and reviews the current evidence on their health effects and that of their bioavailable metabolites. Emphasizing the importance of interindividual variability and the critical role of gut microbiota, this authoritative volume features contributions from recognized experts in the field, exploring specific families of extractable and non-extractable phenolic compounds that exhibit potential health effects. Topics include structural diversity of polyphenols and distribution in foods, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of phenolics, metabolism, and gastrointestinal absorption of various metabolites and their health effects. This comprehensive volume: Discusses the bioavailability, bioaccessibility, pharmacokinetics studies, and microbial metabolism of different groups of phenolic compounds Examines the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota Describes analytical methods for identifying and quantifying polyphenols in foods and biological samples Reviews recent epidemiological and clinical intervention studies showing protective effects of polyphenols Dietary Polyphenols: Metabolism and Health Effects is an important resource for scientists working in the area of dietary polyphenols and health effects, microbiota, and their interaction with other nutritional compounds, and for health professionals, nutritionists, dieticians, and clinical researchers with interest in the role of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

This volume surveys the chemistry, biochemistry, biosynthesis, metabolism and pharmacological properties of lectins. Lectins, which are most commonly found in plants, are widespread natural products with striking biological activities. Their specific ability to recognise and bind to simple or complex saccharides facilitates their role as effective information protein molecules. As agents of cell-to-cell recognition, lectins promote symbiosis between plants and specific nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria. As natural defensive molecules, they can protect plants against predators such as bacteria, fungi and insects. As part of our diet, lectins are powerful exogenous growth factors in the small intestine and influence our health, the digestive function and the bacterial ecology of the alimentary tract. Lectins are also important research tools in preparative biochemistry and cell science.

Food Processing By-Products and their Utilization An in-depth look at the economic and environmental benefits that food companies can achieve—and the challenges and opportunities they may face—by utilizing food processing by-products Food Processing By-Products and their Utilization is the first book dedicated to food processing by-products and their utilization in a broad spectrum. It provides a comprehensive overview on food processing by-products and their utilization as source of novel functional ingredients. It discusses food groups, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, marine, sugarcane, winery, and plantation by-products; addresses processing challenges relevant to food by-products; and delivers insight into the current state of art and emerging technologies to extract valuable phytochemicals from food processing by-products. Food Processing By-Products and their Utilization offers in-depth chapter coverage of fruit processing by-products; the application of food by-products in medical and pharmaceutical industries; prebiotics and dietary fibers from food processing by-products; bioactive compounds and their health effects from honey processing industries; advances in milk fractionation for value addition; seafood by-products in applications of biomedicine and cosmeticuals; food industry by-products as nutrient replacements in aquaculture diets and agricultural crops; regulatory and legislative issues for food waste utilization; and much more. The first reference text to bring together essential information on the processing technology and incorporation of by-products into various food applications Concentrates on the challenges and opportunities for utilizing by-products, including many novel and potential uses for the by-products and waste materials generated by food processing Focuses on the nutritional composition and biochemistry of by-products, which are key to establishing their functional health benefits as foods Part of the "IFST Advances in Food Science" series, co-published with the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK) This bookserves as a comprehensive reference for students, educators, researchers, food processors, and industry personnel looking for up-to-date insight into the field. Additionally, the covered range of techniques for by-product utilization will provide engineers and scientists working in the food industry with a valuable resource for their work.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in North America and around the world. The staggering medical costs involved in treating patients suffering from this disease demand an alternative approach to prevent or minimize its development. In Functional Foods and Cardiovascular Disease, international researchers reveal essential up-to-date information on the role that functional foods and nutraceuticals play in preventing the development of heart disease. Highlighting the physiological benefits of a host of functional foods, the book examines: The pathogenesis of coronary artery disease Genetic methods for enhancing bioactives in foods and new techniques for extracting bioactive components for developing functional foods Clinical and experimental evidence of the cardiovascular benefits of fish oils and plant oils, particularly flaxseed oil The importance of folic acid in homocysteine metabolism and its impact on cardiovascular disease Clinical and experimental evidence for the cardiovascular benefits of plant sterols The beneficial effects of wine, garlic products, eggs, fiber, cocoa and chocolate, and coffee and tea on cardiovascular health While there have been great improvements in treating coronary heart disease through surgery and medications, prevention through diet and exercise should remain an essential priority in maintaining the health of the aging population. Nutritionists, food scientists, and those working in the health industry will find that this book enhances their understanding of the potential role of functional foods in combating cardiovascular disease before more aggressive treatment is needed.

The last book on the lactating sow was published over 15 years ago. This new book brings us up to date in current knowledge on the gestating and lactating sow. It covers new and important topics such as conditioning of gilts for optimal reproductive performance, feeding high fibre diets to gestating sows and providing various fat sources in gestation and lactation. It also describes the several key success factors to group-housing systems in gestation, which is a must due to the current move towards group-housing. The new concept of transition feeding for sows is discussed, as well as the factors involved in mammary development of gilts and sows, both of which are instrumental for maximum colostrum and/or milk yields. The impact of the human-animal interactions on sow welfare and performance is discussed with focus on new handling practices that could be developed to overbalance the negative interactions inherent to pig management systems. Updates on must-have topics, such as amino acid and energy requirements of sows, colostrum and milk yield and composition, and sow health are also provided. The subjects covered in this book will assist animal scientists, nutritionists, veterinarians and swine producers in learning the most recent information on relevant and current topics affecting sow production, and in knowing which areas are in need of further research efforts.

Rye has been known to stimulate weight loss, prevent gallstones, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, promote gastrointestinal health, and improve cardiovascular conditions. Due to rye s many health benefits, it s no wonder that nutritionists, the grains industry, and in turn consumers, have been giving this healthy grain much more attention. Rye and Health, edited by veteran food technology and nutrition scientists Kaisa Poutanen and Per Åman, explains in detail the composition of rye and its physiological and health effects on humans using the latest research and information available.--

WHOLE GRAINS AND HEALTH The updated guide to whole grains and their integral role in nutritional health In an increasingly health-conscious society, the potential benefits of whole grain products are of paramount importance to manufacturers, dieticians, and consumers alike. Whole Grains and Health covers all aspects of this crucial topic, presenting a data-driven study of whole grains’ functional components, associated biomarkers and overall impact upon human health. Now in its second edition, the text has been revised and expanded to include six new chapters and groundbreaking new data. This essential guide features: Summaries of large research projects on the health effects of whole grain in Europe and the US New data on the associations between whole grain consumption and risk of developing chronic diseases Discussions of metabolomics and their use in addressing health effects and finding new biomarkers of both dietary exposure and health effects related to the diet Information on the use of genomics in studies of how gene-expression profiles change in response to whole grain intake Newly identified bioactive compounds in whole grains and whole grain fractions The new EU regulations on health claims that affect whole grain food products Providing information that will be of interest to food scientists, healthcare specialists and food industry professionals alike, the second edition of Whole Grains and Health is an essential resource for anyone concerned with the impact whole grains may have upon health.