Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
The relatively high content of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) in forages has lead to research on the role of forage based feeding strategies in the production of healthier milk. In these studies, forage samples are often stored, although analysis immediately after harvest has been considered to avoid oxidative deterioration and transformation of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (Christie, 1993; Frankel, 1998). In the current study, we evaluated the effect of different storage conditions (fresh grass samples under liquid nitrogen (liq.N2) or in a cool box during 3h or at -20ºC, -80ºC or in the extraction solvent at -20°C, during 24h) on the total amount of FA extracted, the FA pattern and the extent of FA esterification. The effectiveness of isopropanol to inhibit plant enzyme activity (Hawke, 1973), which has been reported to be particularly high in plant tissues (Christie, 1993), was considered. Measures to avoid thawing losses during sample handling were also compared.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Content, Pattern and Esterification of Fatty Acids in Fresh Grass in Relation to Extraction Solvents and Sample Storage Conditions
The relatively high content of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) in forages has lead to research on the role of forage based feeding strategies in the production of healthier milk. In these studies, forage samples are often stored, although analysis immediately after harvest has been considered to avoid oxidative deterioration and transformation of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (Christie, 1993; Frankel, 1998). In the current study, we evaluated the effect of different storage conditions (fresh grass samples under liquid nitrogen (liq.N2) or in a cool box during 3h or at -20ºC, -80ºC or in the extraction solvent at -20°C, during 24h) on the total amount of FA extracted, the FA pattern and the extent of FA esterification. The effectiveness of isopropanol to inhibit plant enzyme activity (Hawke, 1973), which has been reported to be particularly high in plant tissues (Christie, 1993), was considered. Measures to avoid thawing losses during sample handling were also compared.
