HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Park, Y. W. Articles by Mahoney, A. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Park, Y. W. Articles by Mahoney, A. W.

Effects of Processing Methods and Agronomic Variables on Carotene Contents in Forages and Predicting Carotene in Alfalfa Hay with Near-Infrared-Reflectance Spectroscopy^1,2,

Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan 84322

ABSTRACT

Six studies were to determine effects of drying method, stage of maturity, freezing and thawing, and five agronomic variables on carotene contents of forages and to evaluate near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for predicting carotene content in baled alfalfa hay. Microwave dried samples had the highest carotene among all drying methods tested. As drying time increased, carotene decreased. Storage in a refrigerator at 2°C for 3 to 4 wk reduced carotene. The higher the initial carotene, the greater was the decrease. Thawing caused the most degradation of carotene, with the reduction continuing as thawing time was extended. Carotene contents were not changed if fresh samples were frozen or refrigerated for 24 h or held for 4 h at room temperature and light. Carotene was affected by species, light, nitrogen fertilization, and interaction of light x nitrogen fertilization. Prediction equations by infrared reflectance with correlations were developed for carotene. Correlations tended to increase if samples were from the same sources and preparation methods. The microwave-dried samples did not fit the equation when combined with samples from other methods. Seventy-eight calibration and 29 unknown samples of field-cured, baled alfalfa hay from four intermountain states were collected. Splitting calibration data into low and high carotene gave satisfactory predictions for the unknowns.

¹ Journal Paper No. 2694 of Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. Mention of brand names does not constitute endorsement by Utah State University nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture in favor of other instruments or products that are equally suitable.

² Data were taken in part from the dissertation written by Y. W. Park.

³ Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

⁴ Employed by US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.