Effects of different levels of palm oil and sulphur in cassava-based diets

The effects of different levels of palm oil and sulphur on the nutritive value of a cassava leaf protein diet was investigated using rats. With 40% cassava and no palm oil, the protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilisation (NPU) were very low (0·3 and 23·8, respectively) but the true digestibility was the same as that of the casein control (95·0%). With 5% palm oil there was no improvement in PER but both the NPU and biological value (BV) were increased appreciably (38·1 and 40·3, respectively). The best result was obtained with 10% palm oil, with which the PER was more than doubled (0·7) and there were similar increases in both the NPU and BV (46·6 and 48·9, respectively). Cassava at the 40% level was supplemented with various sources of sulphur—i.e. methionine, sodium thiosulphate, elemental sulphur, sodium sulphate and ferrous sulphate. With methionine, the PER, compared with the control (0·7), was more than trebled (2·2) and the NPU and BV were also significantly increased (72·6 and 83·3, respectively). Elemental sulphur gave a PER of 1·8 whilst sodium sulphate and ferrous sulphate gave 1·9. The lowest PER was obtained from sodium thiosulphate (1·1). The importance of palm oil and sulphur donors in cassava-based diets is discussed.     

Lipid composition and palatability of canned sardines. Influence of the canning process and storage in olive oil for five years

Lipid variations of canned sardines in olive oil, both quantitative and in fatty acid composition, have been studied during various stages of the canning process: raw sardines (RS), precooked sardines (PS), just canned sardines (CS) and sardines stored for 6 months (6MS), 12 months (12MS) and 5 years (5YS). The effect of maturation on the palatability of sardines has also been observed by means of triangle tests using a panel of 60 tasters. Our results show a significant loss of SFA in fish during the canning process (C16: 0, 273±6 g kg⁻¹ of fat in RS and 169±11 g kg⁻¹ of fat in CS) and a rise in MUFA (C18:1 207±2 g kg⁻¹ of fat in RS and 506±14 g kg⁻¹ of fat in CS); PUFA showed almost no variation. The maturation and canning processes both yielded similar qualitative modifications. The palatability of the sardines was significantly higher after 6 months of maturation than immediately after canning, and this quality was maintained, for at least 5 years of storage. © 1998 SCI.     

Chemical composition and protein quality of newly released groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L ) cultivars

Five groundnut (Aruchis hypogueu L) cultivars developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and two local cultivars as controls were grown in post-rainy and rainy seasons at Patancheru, India. They were analysed for their proximate composition, minerals and trace elements, amino acid composition, true protein digestibility (TD), biological value (BV), net protein utilisation (NPU), and protein efficiency ratio. One-hundred seed mass, protein content and TD were significantly higher in the post-rainy season while starch, sugars, BV and NPU were significantly higher in the rainy season. Post-rainy cultivars exhibited higher concentrations of potassium, calcium, iron and several essential and non-essential amino acids. TD of blanched groundnut was better than that of the whole seeds. The composition and protein quality of ICRISAT cultivars were comparable to those of the controls.     

Nutritional quality of the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis geitler

The nutritional quality of the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis has been evaluated on the basis of its chemical and amino acid compositions and feeding trials with rats. The protein content of the alga was 58.5%, lysine 4.34 g 100 g^?1 protein, sulphurcontaining amino acids (methionine and cystine) 2.77 g 100 g^?1 protein, and nucleic acids 4%. The true protein digestibility of the alga was found to be 75.5 and its biological value (BV) 68. Supplementation of the alga with methionine (0.2%) resulted in a significant improvement in the BV and net protein utilisation (NPU), but had no effect on true digestibility (TD). TD, BV and NPU were significantly improved when the alga was supplemented with barley (50% nitrogen from both). In Chad and Mexico the alga has been used for centuries as a food. This together with its low cost of production, makes it a suitable source of high quality protein for use as a feed supplement.     

Effect of processing on the protein nutritional value of Canavalia gladiata seeds

Evaluation of protein true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV), and net protein utilization (NPU) of diets containing mature sword bean (Canavalia gladiata), seed flour and grits were carried out with male Sprague-Dawley rats. The seed flour and grits were processed by soaking, cooking, soaking and cooking, autoclaving, and roasting. The TD of processed flour (cooked (84.8), soaked and cooked (76.2), autoclaved (82.0), roasted grits (64.5), and roasted flour (61.2)) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the raw (51.4) and the soaked only grits (35.8). Soaking the grits decreased the TD. The BV of cooked grits and grits cooked after soaking were significantly higher than that of the other processed samples (p < 0.05). However, the BV of the diets containing cooked and soaked and cooked grits were not significantly different. The NPU of the cooked grits (39.4) and grits cooked after soaking (37.6) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the other processed samples (autoclaved grits (31.0), roasted grits (19.5), roasted flour (10.8), and soaked only grits (1.6)). The NPU of all the processed samples were significantly lower than the reference casein (p < 0.05). The highest protein nutritional quality was obtained by either cooking the grits or by soaking and cooking the grits. In vitro protein digestibility measurements were not well correlated to the true digestibility.     

Studies on the essential amino acid composition, protein fractions and biological value (BV) of some new varieties of rice

The protein quality of newly evolved high-yielding Indian varieties of rice, namely, Improved Sabarmati, Pusa 2-21, Jaya and Padma has been evaluated and compared with an old existing popular variety i.e. Basmati-370. All the new varieties were found superior in their limiting amino acid content (lysine, tryptophan and methionine) and the ratio of various fractions of proteins. The animal feeding tests for biological value (BV), true digestibility (TD), net protein utilisation (NPU) and utilisable nitrogen (UN) also showed their superiority over Basmati-370.     

Study of the nutritional value of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativaL)

The nutritional value of five samples of black cumin seeds from five different sources available in the local market were studied. The average values of the proximate analysis on dry matter basis were 216 g kg⁻¹ for crude protein, 406 g fat, 45 g ash, 84 g crude fibre and 249 g of nitrogen-free extract, whereas moisture content was 38 g kg⁻¹. The mineral and vitamin analyses showed that black cumin seeds contained iron, (105 mg kg⁻¹) copper (18 mg), zinc (60 mg) phosphorus (527 mg), calcium (1860 mg), thiamin (15·4 mg), niacin (57 mg), pyridoxine (5·0 mg) and folic acid (160 μg). The protein quality of black cumin seeds was evaluated using net protein utilisation (NPU), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net dietary protein energy percent (NDPE %) for two samples imported from Syria and Turkey, while PER was determined for the Syrian sample only. The results indicated that the NPU standardised of Turkish black cumin seeds was significantly higher than that of Syrian type (P<0·05). The mean results (±SD) were 54·6±2·72 for the Syrian type and 63·1±3·74 for the Turkish type. The NDPE% mean results (±SD) were 5·3±0·79 and 5·6±0·26 for the Syrian and the Turkish samples, respectively. The PER adjusted value for the Syrian samples was 1·9. The results of protein quality evaluation and those of the nutrient composition suggest that black cumin is of relatively good nutritional value. © 1998 SCI.     

Effect of soy protein supplementation on the nutritive value of ‘gari’ (farina) from Manihot esculenta

The supplementary role of soy protein on cassava (Manihot esculenta) “gari” or farina was studied in 35 day-old albino rats of the Wistar strain (n=6 per group) for 10 days. Gari was supplemented with soy beans at 10 and 15% soy protein levels to produce “soy gari” and the performances of rats fed the test diets compared with those on a 10% casein diet. Protein efficiency ratio (PER), Net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility (TD) and biological values (BV) were the parameters used to assess the nutritional performance of the diets based on weight gains and nitrogen balance. The PER for 10% casein, 10 and 15% soy protein-supplemented gari groups were 2.31, 1.85 and 1.94 respectively, while the corresponding values for NPU were 71.9, 65.8 and 64.1, respectively. The TD values for the 10% casein, 10 and 15% soy protein-fed rats were 97.2, 91.9 and 90.0, respectively, while the corresponding values for BV were 73.9, 70.9 and 71.5. The PER, NPU, TD and BV for 10% casein diet were significantly superior (P<0.05) to those of the soy gari diets which gave NPU, TD and BV values 89–97% of those of the casein diet. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in these parameters between the 10 and 15% soy protein supplementation. Soy gari is safe to the consumer, because the procedures involved in processing soy beans and cassava ensure the elimination of toxic anti-nutritional factors known to impact negatively on nutrient availability, metabolic processes and growth. It is suggested that the consumption of soy gari at 10% soy protein supplementation be promoted in gari-eating areas, to ameliorate the endemic problems of protein deficiency disorders.     

An assessment of the protein quality and vitamin b content of commonly used fermented products of legumes and millets

Fermented products of legumes, Bengal gram dhal (Cicer arietinum) and green gram dhal (Phaseolus aureus), and millets, bajra (Pennisetum typhoideum), jowar (Sorghum vulgare) and ragi (Eleucine coracana), were analysed for protein quality and vitamin B content. Fermentation reduced total crude protein by 6-8 % in the legume products and 4-6% in the millet products of bajra and ragi. No reduction in crude protein was observed in fermented jowar products. Temperature of batters increased considerably on fermentation, while pH decreased. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) and the true digestibility (TD) of legume products were not altered by fermentation, the biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation, (NPU), of Bengal gram dhokla improved significantly (P<0.05). The TD of fermented jowar increased significantly (P < 0.05) but not that of ragi, bajra and the legume products. BV and NPU of both jowar and ragi products increased significantly on fermentation (P<0.05) but not that of bajra. The thiamin and riboflavin contents of both the legume and millet products increased with increase in fermentation time. Steaming and cooking after fermentation reduced the thiamin and riboflavin content. However, fermentation after cooking of millet batters increased the levels of both vitamins markedly.     

Biochemical and nutritional evaluation of Egreria radiata (clam), a delicacy of some riverine peasant populations in Nigeria

Proximate, mineral and amino acid analyses of the edible portion of clam (Egreria radiata), a delicacy of some riverine peasant populations in Nigeria, were carried out. The protein quality of the delicacy was also evaluated in a rat bioassay. Crude protein content was 61·0 ± 0·81%; crude fat, 19·0 ± 0·33%; carbohydrate, 1·40 ± 0·02%; crude fibre, 0·40 ± 0·00%, and ash, 17·4 ± 0·51%. Among the essential amino acids assayed, valine, with a chemical score of 37·5%, appeared to be the most limiting, as others had scores of over 55%, when compared with the essential amino acid pattern of whole hen's egg. Elemental analyses showed that, of the trace elements, clam was rich in iron, zinc and manganese, and also contained reasonable amounts of other elements. The PER, NPU, TD and BV were 2·55 ± 0·35, 65·7 ± 1·80, 85·3 ± 3·90 and 77·1 ± 3·35, respectively. These values compared reasonably well with those for whole hen's egg. The high nutritional qualities of the edible portion of clam justify its consumption and also recommend its wider use as a cheap good source of animal protein.     

Nutritive value of some improved varieties of legumes.

The nutritional quality of some improved varieties of chick peas (Cicer arietinum), mash beans (Phaseolus mungo), mung beans (Phaseolus aureus) and cow peas (Vigna sinensis), grown in Pakistan, was measured chemically (including amino acid analyses) and biologically in N-balance experiments with growing rats. Lysine and total sulphur amino acids were lowered in varieties with a higher content of protein. The true protein digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation (NPU) of different varieties of chick peas, mung beans and cow peas varied between 85–89, 83–85 and 87–92%, 62–69, 54–56 and 55–59% and 55–60, 45–48 and 50–51%, respectively. The TD of protein was highest (89%) in chick peas, 6560 having a higher protein content (29.4%) while its BV was lowest (62%) as compared to the other varieties of chick peas. There was a significant correlation (r=0.97) between BV and the total sulphur containing amino acids and BV could be predicted from the regression equation; BV (%)= 33.03 + 10.56x methionine+cystine (g per 16 g N). This indicates that methionine+cystine are the first limiting amino acids in these varieties. Tannin content does not seem to affect the TD of mash and mung beans.     

Extrusion influence on the nutritive value of casein preparations

Effect of extrusion (120 °C; 8–12 s; extruder S 45-12-10 U) on amino acids and nutritive value of casein preparations in the form of calcium and low-calcium paracaseinates and in acidic form was studied. The following indices were found to decrease slightly: chemical score (CS) from the range 57.4–58.8 to 57.2–58.1; essential amino acids (EAA) from 86.1–88.3 to 84.9–88.1; NPU from 61.4–67.6 to 60.2–66.6; PER from 2.40–2.47 to 2.38–2.45; apparent digestibility (AD) from 84.9–87.2 to 84.8–87.2; true digestibility (TD) from 90.7–95.3 to 90.4–92.8 and biological value (BV) from 66.6–71.0 to 65.8–69.6. These results prove that the extrusion at 120 °C does not result in a significant lowering of the protein quality in the casein preparations.     

Quality changes of Nigerian traditionally processed freshwater fish species.

Traditionally smoked (TS), traditionally solar dried (TD), oven dried (OD), Ife solar dried (ISD), and fresh (FF) Clarim lazeru, Sarotherodon niloticus, Sarotherodon galileus, Tilapia zilli, and Hemichromis fmciatus were assessed for proximate composition, nutritive value and organoleptic changes.
Proximate composition of the fish treatment groups were similar, and this increased with decreasing moisture content.
Biological value (BV), true digestibility (TD), net protein utilization (NPU), protein efficiency ratio (PER), were greater than casein (P < 0.01), although they are not statistically different from each other.
From consumer-type taste panel, no statistically significant differences between fish species and organoleptic attributes scores could be discerned. However, a comparison between fish treatment and organoleptic attributes showed obvious differences. The fresh fish always scored highest while TD scored lowest.
The findings are discussed.     

柞蚕丝素蛋白对大鼠体内消化指标的影响

该文探究柞蚕丝素蛋白的营养价值.采用化学和生物学方法测定并分析柞蚕丝素蛋白的5项消化指标(表观消化率、真消化率、蛋白质功效比值、生物价和蛋白质净利用率)以及对大鼠体内器官的相关影响.用柞蚕丝素蛋白饲料进行喂养实验,采用美国官方分析化学师协会(Association of Official Analytical Chem...     

Protein quality and energy density of green peas as influenced by seed size and time of harvest

Green peas (Pisum sativum L) were harvested at three different time points—3 days apart—and subsequently sorted into four fractions according to seed size (diameter > 10.2 mm; 10.2–8.75 mm; 8.75–8.2 mm and 8.2–6.0 mm). Three varieties from two years were investigated. The study comprised a total of 31 green pea samples. The average protein content of the samples was 276 g kg^?1 DM with relatively low variation (SE = 5.7). Protein content was highest in the smallest seeds. The average energy content was 18.6 MJ kg^?1DM. Dietary fibre content was 226 g kg^?1 DM, the major part (77%) as insoluble fibre. Seeds of early harvest and seeds with the smallest diameter had the lowest fibre (IDF and TDF) content and at the same time the highest energy digestibility. The average energy digestibility was 83.2%. Protein digestibility was relatively high (average 92.1%), while biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation (NPU) were moderate to low (60.6% and 55.8% respectively) due to low contents of the essential amino acids (g per 16 g N), especially tryptophan, methionine + cystine and lysine. Contents of lysine, tryptophan and methionine + cystine were more than 20% higher in the smallest seeds compared to the larger seeds. Similar differences were observed in seeds of late harvest as compared with seeds of early harvest. Correlation coefficients revealed a strong positive correlation between lysine, tryptophan and methionine + cystine content and the biological value of green pea protein. The three varieties investigated showed no differences in the chemical parameters although small differences in BV and NPU were observed.     

Biological utilization of insect infested wheat stored in different storage structures

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was stored in jute bag, peru, metal bin and polyethylene bag for 6 months. Infested wheat was fed to the rats for 40 days. Effect of incorporation of uninfested and infested wheat stored in different storage structure on feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), biological value (BV), true protein digestibility (TPD), net protein utilization (NPU), net protein ratio (NPR) and weight of liver, kidney and spleen was observed. Inclusion of insect infested wheat stored in different storage structure had significant (P > 0.05) effect on the biological utilization of wheat protein. Diets prepared from wheat stored in jute bag and peru had significantly higher insect infestation which resulted in lower values for feed intake, weight gain, FER, PER, BV, TPD, NPU, NPR. Weight of liver, kidney and spleen also decreased as compared to the control diets and the diets prepared from wheat stored in metal bin and polyethylene bags.     

Cooking characteristics,chemical composition and protein quality of newly developed genotypes of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L)

Eight newly developed pigeonpea genotypes (ICPL 87, ICPL 151, ICPL 270, ICPL 366, ICPL 87051, ICPL 87063, ICPL 87067, and ICPV 1), and the two controls (BDN 2 and C 11) were analysed for cooking quality parameters and chemical composition, including amino acids and minerals. Protein quality was evaluated by determining the true protein digestibility, biological value, net protein utilisation (NPU), and utilisable protein. These genotypes differed significantly (P < 0–01) in the dhal cooking time. Sensory properties of dhal of these genotypes were found to be within the acceptable range, even though there were considerable differences among genotypes. Dhal protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron contents of these genotypes showed noticeable differences. Calcium content of ICPL 87067 was the highest (85-6 mg per 100 g) and of ICPL 87 the lowest (54-4 mg per 100 g) indicating large differences among the newly developed genotypes. No noticeable differences in sulphur-containing amino acids of these genotypes were observed. NPU was the highest (65–4%) for ICPL 366 and the lowest (56–6%) for ICPL 270 and ICPL 87067 indicating significant (P < 0–01) differences among genotypes studied.     

Nutrient contents,rumen protein degradability and antinutritional factors in some colour- and white-flowering cultivars of Vicia faba beans

Six colour-flowering (Scirocco, Alfred, Carola, Condor, Tina and Herz Freya) and six white-flowering (Caspar, Albatros, Gloria, Tyrol, Vasco and Cresta) cultivars of Vicia faba were studied. The crude protein contents of colour- and white-flowering cultivars were 267±13·6 and 283±18·8 g kg⁻¹, respectively, which did not differ significantly at P<0·05. The levels of lipids, crude fibre, starch and ash varied from 14 to 22 g kg⁻¹, 88 to 143 g kg⁻¹, 407 to 485 g kg⁻¹ and 32 to 42 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The calculated organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of the white-flowering cultivars were significantly higher (P<0·001) than those of the colour-flowering cultivars (OMD: 889·1±26·6 g kg⁻¹ vs 797·5±17·1 g kg⁻¹; ME: 13·97±0·49 vs 12·30±0·34 MJ kg⁻¹). In all cultivars, sulphur amino acids were lower than adequate concentration when compared with recommended amino acid pattern of FAO/WHO/UNO reference protein for a 2–5-year-old child. The in vitro rumen nitrogen degradability of colour-flowering cultivars was significantly lower (P<0·01) compared to that of white-flowering cultivars (71·4±9·3% vs 88·0±11·1%). Amongst colour-flowering varieties, the contents of total phenols (TP), tannins (T) and condensed tannins (CT) were highest in Alfred (28·3, 21·0 and 35·4 g kg⁻¹, respectively). The contents of TP and T were similar (about 15 and 10 g kg⁻¹, respectively) in Carola, Tina and Herz Freya, and the CT were in the order: Condor>Herz Freya>Carola. The CT were not detected in white-flowering varieties, T were virtually absent and TP were extremely low (4·0–4·9 g kg⁻¹). The activities of other antinutritional factors (white- and colour-flowering cultivars, respectively: trypsin inhibitor activity 3·05±0·34 and 1·85±0·09 mg trypsin inhibited g⁻¹; lectin 27·2±9·4 and 27·1±5·1 mg ml⁻¹ assay medium producing haemagglutination; phytate 15·0±2·7 and 16·6±2·3 g kg⁻¹) were very low. A strong negative correlation (r=-0·92, P<0·001) between tannins and in vitro rumen protein degradability was observed which suggested that tannins have adverse effect on protein degradability. Similarly negative correlations between tannin levels and metabolisable energy (r=-0·89; P<0·001) and organic matter digestibility (r=-0·89; P<0·001) were observed. The correlation coefficient between trypsin inhibitor activity and tannins was negative and highly significant (r=-0·88, P<0·001), whereas between tannins and saponins it was significantly positive (r=0·96, P<0·001). ©1997 SCI     

Legume seed vicilins (7S storage proteins) interfere with the development of the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (F))

Vicilins (7S storage proteins) isolated from the seeds of the legumes Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Vigna angularis (adzuki bean), Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean), Glycine max (soybean), Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) were shown to be immunologically related and to bind to a chitin matrix. The effect of the isolated vicilins on the development of the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus was examined. Vicilins from all non-host seeds, including those of the C maculatus-resistant cowpea line IT81D-1045, strongly inhibited larval development (ED₅₀ of 1·07±0·32% to 2·22±0·64%). Vicilins from the C maculatus-susceptible cowpea CE-31 and adzuki bean seeds were the exception with ED₅₀ of 6·25±0·75% and 5·40±1·54%, respectively. These results correlate well with the host range of C maculatus and are possibly a reflection of the low digestibility of vicilins by insect midgut proteinases in addition to the ability they show in binding to chitin-containing structures like the ones found in the bruchid midguts. © 1998 SCI.     

Lactation performance of dairy cows fed rehydrated and ensiled corn grain differing in particle size and proportion in the diet

Rehydrated and ensiled mature ground corn has high ruminal starch digestibility, but particle size (PS) and dietary starch proportion (ST) can affect starch digestion and lactating cow performance. We evaluated the effect of rehydrated and ensiled corn (REC), PS, and ST on intake, lactation performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation profile, and chewing behavior of dairy cows. Kernels from an 84% vitreousness hybrid were finely (FN) or coarsely (CS) ground, yielding geometric mean particle sizes of 1,591 and 2,185 µm, respectively. Ground kernels were rehydrated [60% dry matter (DM)] and ensiled in 200-L buckets for ≥205 d. The grinding rate (t/h) was 3.9 for FN and 11.7 for CS. The PS did not affect DM loss (11.3% of ensiled) or silage pH (3.8). Samples of each bucket (n = 15/PS) before and after silage fermentation were incubated in situ for 0, 3, 6, 18, and 48 h in 4 rumen-cannulated lactating cows. Ensiling increased the effective ruminal in situ DM degradation (63.7 vs. 34.1%), regardless of PS. Sixteen Holstein cows (152 ± 96 d in milk) in 4 × 4 Latin squares (21-d periods) were individually fed a 2 × 2 factorial combination of low (LO) or high (HI) starch diets with FN or CS. Cows were fed the same REC incubated in situ. Varied concentration of starch in the diet (29.2 vs. 23.5% of DM) was achieved by partial replacement of REC (22.0 vs. 14.2% of DM) with citrus pulp (0 vs. 8.2% of DM). Milk, protein, fat, and lactose yields did not differ. Milk fat percentage was reduced and protein percentage was increased by HI. Treatment FN increased feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk/digestible organic matter intake) when fed with HI. Total-tract starch digestibility tended to be reduced by CS (96.4 vs. 97.2% of starch intake). Serum β-hydroxybutyrate was increased by LO. High-starch diet reduced the molar proportions of acetate and butyrate in ruminal fluid and increased propionate and isoacids. Particle size did not affect ruminal fermentation profile. Coarse grinding reduced plasma d-lactate concentration with HI. Diet HI reduced the proportion of daily intake from 1900 to 0700 h and induced preferential intake of feed particles <8 mm and greater refusal of particles >19 mm in the morning. Fine REC reduced rumination time per day and increased eating time per DM intake. Milk and plasma urea-N did not differ. Ensiling of mature flint corn for >200 d largely eliminated the effect of the PS of REC on the studied outcomes. The proportion of REC in the diet affected ruminal fermentation profile and milk solids concentration, but did not affect short-term performance and digestibility. Coarse grinding of REC may allow increasing the grinding rate and thus save labor and energy during ensiling.