Fate of oligosaccharides during production of soya bean tempe

The concentrations of the flatulence and possibly prebiotic oligosaccharides, stachyose and raffinose, as well as sucrose, glucose and fructose, were monitored during the preparation of bacteria‐free tempe made with Rhizopus oligosporus NRRL 2710. The initial soya beans contained (g [kg dry matter]⁻¹): stachyose, 30; raffinose, 11; sucrose, 57, glucose, <0.1, and fructose, <0.1. Losses of oligosaccharides during preparation of tempe were due to leaching during the hydration (100°C for 30 min), washing (60°C) and cooking stages (121°C for 10 min). The losses were (g [kg dry initial soya bean]⁻¹): hydration 45; dehulling and washing, 14, and cooking, 24. Concentrations remaining in the cooked cotyledons were (g [kg dry weight]⁻¹): stachyose, 7.0; raffinose, 2.1; sucrose, 7.2; glucose, 1.8, and fructose, 0.9, representing 17% (w/w) of the stachyose, 15% of the raffinose and 13% of the sucrose+glucose+fructose in the initial soya beans. Within the errors of measurement, concentrations of stachyose, raffinose and sucrose did not change during the fermentation but concentrations of glucose and fructose were reduced to 0.2 and 0.3 g (kg dry weight)⁻¹, respectively. The results are discussed in relation to controlling the concentrations of oligosaccharides in tempe. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Carbohydrate composition and content of organic acids in fresh and stored apples

The contents of low‐molecular‐weight carbohydrates (LMWC; sorbitol, glucose, fructose and sucrose), starch, dietary fibre and organic acids were determined in seven apple cultivars at the start and end of the consumption interval. The cultivars included were Summered, Aroma, Ingrid Marie, Cox Orange, Mutzu, Belle de Boskoop and Jonagold. The total content of LMWC ranged between 615 and 716 g kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM). The dominating sugar was fructose, corresponding to on average 57% (range 48–62%) of the total LMWC. However, in Cox Orange the sucrose content was considerably higher and the fructose and sucrose contents constituted approximately 46% each. Total dietary fibre content was similar in the cultivars (total dietary fibre 160 ± 20 g kg⁻¹ DM), except for Belle de Boskoop which had a higher content (203 g kg⁻¹ DM). Mutzu had a lower proportion of soluble fibre (27% of total dietary fibre) compared with the others (mean 32%). The organic acid content was on average 80 ± 4 g kg⁻¹ DM, except for two of the cultivars (Summered and Belle de Boskoop) which had a higher content (105 ± 6 g kg⁻¹ DM). Interestingly, the organic acid content was only slightly reduced upon storage in the case of Belle de Boskoop, whereas there was a substantial decrease in all the other cultivars (p < 0.001). Sucrose (p < 0.01) and starch (p < 0.05) contents decreased in all cultivars following storage, whereas sorbitol (p < 0.05) and total dietary fibre (p < 0.05) contents increased. It is concluded that the observed differences in composition are of such magnitude that they may affect both nutritional and sensory properties. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sugar content of swedes for stockfeeding

The sugar content was determined of 19 cultivars of swede (Brassica napus ssp rapifera L) grown in rows 50 and 75 cm apart. Sugar concentration ranged from 54.3 to 78.7 g kg^?1 fresh weight and was positively correlated with dry matter content which ranged from 90.4 to 138.7 g kg^?1 fresh weight. The average concentration of fructose, glucose and sucrose in the dry matter was 225.0, 328.4 and 34.5 g kg^?1 DM, respectively. The high-dry-matter cultivars tended to have less fructose and more sucrose than the low-dry-matter ones, but total sugar concentration in the dry matter was not associated with dry-matter content. Row width had little effect on sugar content compared with the differences between cultivars. The implications for the feeding value of swedes are discussed.     

Composition and digestion in the pig gastrointestinal tract of Jerusalem artichoke tubers

The digestion in the pig gastrointestinal tract of fructans from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers was investigated. The tuber sample, and duodenal and ileal digesta and faeces from pigs fed the tubers, were analysed for chemical composition, and the gel filtration profiles of fructans from tubers and duodenal and ileal digesta examined.The tuber sample contained, on a dry matter basis, 60 g kg⁻¹ ash, 122 g kg⁻¹ crude protein, 7 g kg⁻¹ crude fat, 654 g kg⁻¹ soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructans), 6 g kg⁻¹ starch, 6 g kg⁻¹ permanganate lignin and 147 g kg⁻¹ non-fructans, non-starch polysaccharides. Sucrose (319 g kg⁻¹) and fructans (288 g kg⁻¹) were the main components.About 50% of the fructans were degraded anterior to the duodenum, but little further degradation occurred during passage through the small intestine. The gel filtration profiles established that the molecular weight of the fructans did not significantly change between the diet and terminal ileum.     

Evaluation of the chemical composition of fresh and stored edible aroids

The chemical compositions of 32 cultivars of two edible aroid species (Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum and Xanthosoma sagittifolium) were determined. Mean values obtained for both species in g kg^?1 dry weight were: crude protein 37.5–73.6, total fat 0.9–8.7, ash 28.7–77.7, crude fibre 4.3–42.0, total sugars 5.9–42.5 and starch 509.1–705.7. The mam sugars identified by HPLC were fructose, glucose, sucrose and maltose. The amino acids with the highest concentrations were aspartic acid, glutamic acid and arginine. A significant reduction in starch content (to 39.8–47.4 g kg^?1) and increase in total sugars content (to 8.0–11.6 g kg^?1) occurred during the storage of cormels for two weeks under tropical ambient conditions (24–29°C; 86–98% RH). No significant differences (P> 0.05) between fresh and stored cormels were found in crude protein and amino acid contents.     

Broad bean and pea by‐products as sources of fibre‐rich ingredients: potential antioxidant activity measured in vitro

BACKGROUND By‐products generated during the processing of plant food can be considered a promising source of dietary fibre as a functional compound. The dietary fibre composition, soluble sugars and antioxidant activity of the extractable polyphenols of pea and broad bean by‐products have been analysed in this study. RESULTS: Total dietary fibre using AOAC methods plus hydrolysis (broad bean pod: 337.3 g kg^?1; pea pod: 472.6 g kg^?1) is higher (P < 0.05) in both by‐products than with the Englyst method (broad bean pod: 309.7 g kg^?1; pea pod: 434.6 g kg^?1). The main monomers are uronic acids, glucose, arabinose and galactose in broad bean pods. However, pea pods are very rich in glucose and xylose. The soluble sugars analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography in both by‐products have glucose as the most important component, followed by sucrose and fructose. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (broad bean pod: 406.4 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1; pea pod: 25.9 µmol Trolox equivalents g^?1) and scavenging effect on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (EC₅₀ of broad bean pod: 0.4 mg mL^?1; EC₅₀ of pea pod: 16.0 mg mL^?1) were also measured. CONCLUSIONS: Broad bean and pea by‐products are very rich in dietary fibre, particularly insoluble dietary fibre and their extractable polyphenols demonstrate antioxidant activity. Therefore they might be regarded as functional ingredients. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of cultivar,root weight,storage and boiling on carbohydrate content in carrots (Daucus carota L)

The effects of cultivar (n = 4), root weight (n = 4), storage (5 months) and boiling (7 min) and their interactions on the content of dry matter and carbohydrates were studied and ranked in carrots. Boiling had the greatest effect and had an influence on all variables except the ratio between sucrose and the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. The choice of cultivar was also of great importance as regards glucose, fructose and sucrose content, while dietary fibre and dry matter were much less affected, or even unaffected, by this factor. Root weight and storage were consistently of less significance than boiling and cultivar. Thus dietary fibre solubility, fructose content and the ratio between sucrose and the monosaccharides glucose and fructose were independent of the root weight, while storage had no impact on the dry matter content. After storage the cultivar Lonto had lost more dry matter than the other cultivars (10% versus mean 1% for the others, P = 0.009) and the sugar ratio between sucrose and the monosaccharides glucose and fructose had increased in the cultivar Amarant, while it decreased in the other cultivars (P < 0.001). Furthermore, Amarant had a lower loss of sugars (35%) following boiling than the other cultivars (mean 39%, P = 0.002). Storage and boiling interacted concerning soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, fibre solubility and glucose content. It is concluded that the various factors (especially boiling and cultivar) gave rise to such differences in carbohydrate content and composition that they might be of nutritional importance. The results may thus provide a basis for selecting raw material when studying possible health effects of carrots. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition of the potential new oilseed crops Barbarea vulgaris,Barbarea verna and Lepidium campestre

Barbarea vulgaris, Barbarea verna and Lepidium campestre were selected as potential new oilseed crops. To evaluate the nutritional and technological quality of the seeds, the chemical composition was studied. The major constituents found were dietary fibre, crude fat and crude protein. Barbarea contained about 350 g kg⁻¹ dietary fibre, 295 g kg ⁻¹ crude fat and 170 g kg⁻¹ crude protein, while Lepidium contained about 400 g kg⁻¹ dietary fibre, 200 g kg⁻¹ crude fat and 190 g kg⁻¹ protein. The amino acid composition was found to be suitable for human consumption when comparison with the amino acid pattern for high quality protein was made. Fatty acid composition was dominated by erucic acid in B vulgaris (28%) and B verna (50%) and by linolenic acid in L campestre (34%). Insoluble dietary fibres were dominated by Klason lignin in both Barbarea and Lepidium. Uronic acid and glucose residues were also found in large amounts. Soluble dietary fibres were dominated by uronic acid, arabinose and galactose residues. The major glucosinolates found were glucobarbarin in B vulgaris (108 μmol g⁻¹), gluconasturtiin in B verna (106 μmol g⁻¹) and sinalbin in L campestre (110 μmol g⁻¹). No cyanogens were found in any of the seeds. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The nutritive value for ruminants of thin stillage and distillers' grains derived from wheat,rye, triticale and barley

A study was conducted to determine nutrient degradabilities of thin stillages and distillers' grains derived from wheat‐, rye‐, triticale‐ and barley‐based ethanol production. In vitro protein degradabilities of wheat, rye, triticale and barley thin stillages were determined using a protease enzyme assay. One ruminally fistulated cow was used to determine ruminal nutrient degradabilities for wheat, rye, triticale and barley distillers' grains. Results of the in vitro study showed that the soluble protein fraction was highest for rye thin stillage and lowest for barley thin stillage. The degradation rate of the slowly degradable protein fraction was higher for wheat and triticale thin stillage than rye thin stillage and was higher for rye than barley thin stillage. Effective degradability of crude protein followed the order rye (659 g kg⁻¹) > triticale (632 g kg⁻¹) > wheat (608 g kg⁻¹) > barley (482 g kg⁻¹) thin stillage. Ruminal degradability of dry matter was highest for rye and lowest for barley distillers' grains. Ruminal degradability of dry matter was also higher for wheat than triticale distillers' grains. Crude protein from barley distillers' grains had a lower ruminal degradability relative to crude protein from wheat and rye distillers' grains. Ruminal degradability of neutral detergent fibre was highest for rye distillers' grains (470 g kg⁻¹), intermediate for wheat and triticale distillers' grains (average 445 g kg⁻¹) and lowest for barley distillers' grains (342 g kg⁻¹). It was concluded that thin stillage and distillers' grains derived from barley had a lower nutritive value for ruminants compared with those derived from wheat, rye and triticale. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

In vitro protein digestibility and mineral availability of green beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL) as influenced by variety and pod size

Three varieties of green beans (Cleo, Strike and Sentry) were harvested and sorted into four fractions according to pod size (diameter <7 mm; 7–8·5 mm; 8·6–10 mm and >10 mm). Ash content and dietary fibre increased significantly as pod size increased mainly in Cleo and Strike beans. Strike showed the highest fibre content (378·0 g kg⁻¹) but the lowest carbohydrate (364·6 g kg⁻¹) and ash (68·4 g kg⁻¹) values. Mean values for Fe and Mg content were higher in Cleo beans (70·9 and 27·1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively), Zn, Cu and Mg were higher in Strike beans (48·7 mg kg⁻¹, 22·4 mg kg⁻¹ and 3·15 g kg⁻¹, respectively) while Na and Ca values were maximum in Sentry (459·1 mg kg⁻¹ and 7·11 g kg⁻¹, respectively). Trypsin inhibitor was negatively related to in vitro protein digestibility but no relationship was found between this last parameter and phytic acid content. This antinutrient, together with dietary fibre, and a negative influence on in vitro mineral dialysability of green beans. © 1998 SCI     

The yield and carcass chemical composition of impala (Aepyceros melampus), a southern African antelope species

This investigation analyses the commercial carcass yields and chemical composition of impala (Aepyceros melampus). The potential of this species for the export market is also discussed. Impala rams (eight) and ewes (eight) cropped commercially in Zimbabwe were found to have a similar dressout proportion (580 g kg⁻¹), although the males had a heavier live weight (49.4 ± 4.606 kg) than the females (33.5 ± 3.417 kg). Sexual dimorphism was shown, with the males having significantly (p < 0.01) heavier necks (69 ± 5.47 g kg⁻¹) and forequarters (279 ± 3.79 g kg⁻¹) than the females (51 ± 1.70 and 259 ± 2.15 g kg⁻¹ respectively) when expressed as a proportion of cold carcass weight (27.6 ± 2.551 and 19.0 ± 1.960 kg for males and females respectively). No sexual effects (p > 0.2) were found in the mean chemical proximate composition of the 9‐10‐11 rib cut for the moisture (724.0 ± 14.00 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample), protein (238.3 ± 7.46 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample) and ash (21.2 ± 3.74 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample) contents. The females had a statistically higher (p = 0.0197) mean total lipid content (33.9 ± 1.705 g kg⁻¹) than the males (24.5 ± 3.171 g kg⁻¹). This investigation occurred at the end of the impala rut season, a period when the rams not only consume less feed but also expend more energy owing to strenuous activities in fighting for and maintaining a harem. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Twin-Screw Extrusion on the Functional Properties of Soya Fibre

Dietary fibre from soya residues (by-products of soya bean curd production) before and after twin-screw extrusion were fractionated into water insoluble, 5 g kg⁻¹ ammonium oxalate insoluble, 40 g kg⁻¹ KOH insoluble and 240 g kg⁻¹ KOH insoluble fractions. The porous property, swelling ability in water, water holding capacity and glucose retardation capacity of each fraction were evaluated. Results showed that extrusion decreased the pore sizes and there were no significant differences between glucose retardation capacity of non-extruded and extruded fibres. The 240 g kg⁻¹ KOH extract of fibre might play a unique role in the functional properties of fibre.     

Physical and chemical properties of chufa (Cyperus esculentus L) tubers grown in the Çukurova region of Turkey

Four lines of chufa (Cyperus esculentus) grown in 1998 and 1999 in the Çukurova region of Turkey were analysed for their physical properties, proximate chemical composition and fatty acid contents. The chufa lines contained on average (g kg^?1) 932.8 dry matter, 245.0 crude lipid, 256.8 starch, 14.3 ash, 50.5 protein, 89.1 crude fibre, 17.1 reducing sugar, 154.3 total sugar and 130.4 sucrose. Hunter L, a⁺ and b⁺ colour values of ground chufa samples were in the ranges 55.93–60.59, 3.71–5.09 and 15.60–16.85 respectively. Individual chufa tubers weighed between 0.224 and 0.283 g. The fatty acid composition of chufa oil included (g kg^?1) 689.2–732.9 oleic acid, 125.5–141.2 palmitic acid and 99.6–154.6 linoleic acid, which is comparable with that of olive oil. After storage for 1 year the differences in mean values were significant (p < 0.05). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pickled vegetable and fruit waste mixtures as an alternative feedstuff

Vegetable and fruit market waste mixtures were preserved in three dilute acetic acid solutions before drying, grinding and performing tests of acceptance in rats as a food supplement. The preserved waste was divided into unmodified (I) and Ca(OH)₂‐neutralised (II). Among I and II the pH ranged from 3.59 to 6.61. At the end of waste immersion in I, ash (A), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP) and nitrogen‐free extract (NFE) concentrations ranged between 28.5 and 34.7 g kg⁻¹, 20.6 and 39.5 g kg⁻¹, 80.2 and 91.2 g kg⁻¹ and 732.2 and 760.3 g kg⁻¹ respectively. CP and NFE contents were found to be decreased whereas ash, Ca²⁺ and crude fibre (CF) were increased (P < 0.05) in II. Phosphorus (P) concentration remained unchanged at 1.3 g kg⁻¹ in both I and II. An experimental diet that included 179.41 g kg⁻¹ of the vegetable and fruit waste mixture preserved with acetic acid at 20 g l⁻¹ and alkalised was given to seven adult Sprague‐Dawley rats for 14 days in comparison with a sorghum/soybean‐based diet. No differences (NS) in food intake or body weight were recorded between groups, nor were there any physiological effects. This chemical procedure is recommended to return micronutrients from vegetable and fruit waste mixtures to the food chain. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Seasonal Changes in the Composition and Properties of a High Dietary Fibre Powder from Grapefruit Peel

Seasonal changes in composition and properties of a high dietary fibre product from grapefruit peel were studied. Total dietary fibre decreased in January as compared to September (586–686 g kg^-1). Main constituents from soluble fibre were: uronic acids (172–233 g kg^-1), arabinose (13–41 g kg^-1), galactose (4–11 g kg^-1), glucose (5–10 g kg^-1) and xylose (2–3 g kg^-1). Insoluble dietary fibre (385–392 g kg^-1) did not significantly change during the season. Its main constituents were: Klason lignin (29–37 g kg^-1), uronic acids (33–70 g kg^-1) and neutral sugars: glucose (149–196 g kg^-1), mannose (45–50 g kg^-1), xylose (25–38 g kg^-1), galactose (20–22 g kg^-1) and arabinose (16–45 g kg^-1). Total neutral sugars from dietary fibre decreased over the harvest period (315–383 g kg^-1) and an inverse trend was observed in total free-sugars from samples (49–85 g kg^-1). Both, water holding capacity (7·0–9·3 g water g^-1 dry sample) and glucose retardation index (7·0–25·3%) decreased from early stages in fruit development until late in the harvest season. Seasonal changes in grapefruit peel should be taken into account, in order to standardise the quality of rich fibre products. © 1997 SCI     

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L), globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) and chicory witloof (Cichorium intybus) processing by-products as sources of dietary fibre

By-products arising from vegetable processing activities have been assessed in relation to their potential application as sources of dietary fibre supplements in refined foods. Sources used were fresh cauliflower, globe artichoke and chicory witloof. Non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content and composition of selected parts of each plant source have been measured from alcohol insoluble residues (AIR) and by fibre analysis, complemented by methylation analysis to characterise structural features of component polysaccharides. Results indicate that cauliflower upper stem NSP was similar to the floret (∽25 g kg⁻¹ fresh weight) and each was rich in pectic polysaccharides. Cauliflower lower stem was enriched in NSP (∽66 g kg⁻¹) due mainly to cellulose and xylan deposition, which resulted in a proportionate decrease in pectic polysaccharides. Artichoke stem (∽38 g NSP kg⁻¹) was similar to the receptacle (∽34 g NSP kg⁻¹) but bracts were heavily lignified. Chicory root and leaf bud were each rich in pectic polysaccharides but NSP content was much higher in the root (∽46 g kg⁻¹) than the leaf (∽8 g kg⁻¹). Results indicate that processing by-products, eg cauliflower upper stem, artichoke stem and chicory root, could prove useful as sources of pectic polysaccharide-rich supplements. However, polysaccharide composition and glycosidic linkage pattern also identified important structural differences between sources. The importance of ‘fibre type’ when considering development of food supplements is discussed. © 1998 SCI.     

Characterisation of peptides in silages made from perennial ryegrass with different silage additives

The effects of applying either formic acid (5.4 g kg⁻¹), a mixture of formic acid (2.7 g kg⁻¹) and formaldehyde (1.5 g kg⁻¹, 81 g kg⁻¹ herbage crude protein) or two concentrations of a cysteine peptidase inhibitor, cystamine (5 or 50 g kg⁻¹), to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) on the nitrogen (N) distribution of the resulting silages were investigated, with emphasis on changes in concentration, composition and molecular weight of silage peptides. Herbage (156 g dry matter kg⁻¹ and 141 g water‐soluble carbohydrate kg⁻¹ dry matter) was ensiled in triplicate in laboratory silos for 100 days. Formic acid and the formic acid/formaldehyde mixture reduced soluble non‐protein N and ammonia N concentrations (P < 0.01); in addition, formic acid increased peptide N concentrations (P < 0.05). Cystamine at 50 g kg⁻¹ reduced ammonia N concentrations (P < 0.01) and increased peptide N concentrations (P < 0.05), but when applied at 5 g kg⁻¹ had little effect. Gel filtration of silage extracts on Sephadex G‐25 suggested that a small proportion (0.06–0.11 g kg⁻¹ peptide N) of silage peptides had a chain length of 7–9 amino acids, but remaining peptides were smaller with chain lengths of 2–6 amino acid residues. Amino acid analysis of silage peptides indicated that additive treatment had little effect on peptide amino acid composition but that peptides with a chain length of 7–9 amino acids contained lower proportions of isoleucine and arginine. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical characterisation and ruminal nutrient degradability of hulled and hull-less oats

The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical and ruminal nutrient degradability characteristics of two hulled (Calibre and AC Mustang) and one hull-less (AC Belmont) oat varieties. Ruminal nutrient degradability characteristics of the oat varieties were determined relative to barley using one ruminally fistulated cow. Neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fibre levels were higher (P < 0·05) in hulled than hull-less oats. Hulled AC Mustang had higher (P < 0·05) NDF and ADF content than hulled Calibre. Starch content was higher (P < 0·05) in AC Belmont (590 g kg⁻¹) than Calibre (457 g kg⁻¹) and was higher in Calibre than AC Mustang (415 g kg⁻¹). Crude protein was higher (P < 0·05) in hull-less than hulled oat. Both hulled varieties had similar CP content (average 124 g kg⁻¹). Estimated digestible energy value was highest (P < 0·05) for AC Belmont (16·94 MJ kg⁻¹), intermediate for Calibre (14·18 MJ kg⁻¹) and lowest for AC Mustang (13·34 MJ kg⁻¹). Ruminal dry matter and NDF degradability were higher (P < 0·05) in hull-less than barley and was higher in barley than hulled oats. Ruminal starch degradability exceeded 900 g kg⁻¹ for all tested feeds and had the order AC Belmont = barley > Calibre = AC Mustang. It was concluded that oat varieties used in this study varied considerably in their chemical composition and ruminal degradability. When compared with barley, hulled oats had lower while hull-less oats had higher ruminal degradability. © 1998 SCI.     

Chemical composition,digestibility and protein quality of 12 sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) cultivars

Twelve sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) cultivars grown in Spain were analysed and tested in experiments with rats. The dehulled seeds contained an average of 32.2 MJ kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM) gross energy, 653 g kg⁻¹ DM fat, 60 g kg⁻¹ DM total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and 6 g kg⁻¹ DM Klason lignin. The sunflower seed hulls contained 20.2 MJ kg⁻¹ DM gross energy, 53 g kg⁻¹ DM fat, 562 g kg⁻¹ DM total NSPs and 239 g kg⁻¹ DM Klason lignin. The sunflower samples were dehulled and partially defatted (to ∼17% fat) and included in diets for rats. The dehulled, partially defatted samples contained on average 74.6 g nitrogen kg⁻¹ DM and 1.409 mg g⁻¹ phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid + caffeic acid + derivative 1 + derivative 2) varying from 0.677 to 2.847 mg g⁻¹. Groups of five growing rats were fed diets (9.38% crude protein) containing one of the sunflower cultivars as the only source of protein. Apparent ileal and faecal digestibilities were determined by using an indigestible marker (Cr₂O₃) and faecal digestibility based on total faecal collections. Apparent ileal, caecal and faecal digestibilities of organic matter were 81.2–91.5% (P = 0.05), 95.8–97.1% (P = 0.005) and 94.7–95.3% (P = 0.94) respectively. The apparent faecal digestibilities of DM, energy and protein (N × 6.25) were 93.2–93.8%, 93.5–94.3% and 81.6–84.3% respectively with no differences among cultivars. Biological value (BV) ranged between 63.8 and 73.2% (P = 0.0001) and net protein utilisation (NPU) between 59.9 and 69.5% (P = 0.0001). BV and NPU were positively correlated with lysine and threonine contents, but no correlation with the analysed phenolic compounds was detected. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry