Using vibrational ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometrics to reveal faba CHO molecular spectral profile and CHO nutritional features in ruminant systems.

The non-invasive spectroscopic technique is capable to detect the biomolecular structure spectral features that are associated with biological, nutritional and biodegradation functions. However, to date, no research has been reported on alteration of bioactive compounds/carbohydrate traits on physiochemical and structure spectral characteristics in faba pulse seeds. The objective of this study was to use non-invasive ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with uni- and multivariate analyses to reveal faba [VLF: VLF-1 = CDC snowdrop with low tannin and VLF-2 = FB9-4 with high tannin] CHO molecular spectral profile and CHO nutritional features in ruminant systems. The carbohydrates related major molecular spectral bands included: STCHO (structural carbohydrates, peaks area region and baseline: ca. 1482-1185 cm-1), CELC (cellulosic compounds, peak area centered at ca. 1238 cm-1 with region and baseline 1272-1185 cm-1), TCHO (total carbohydrates, peaks area region and baseline: ca. 1186-939 cm-1) with three peaks in the region centered at ca. 1147, 1075 and 1012 cm-1, respectively. The results showed that the high tannin VLF variety VLF-2 had the higher (P < 0.05) peak heights for both STCHO second and third peaks as well as the area of entire STCHO region than low tannin variety VLF-1. Similarly the peak height and area of cellulosic compounds were also higher (P < 0.05) in VLF-2 than VLF-1. Regarding the total carbohydrates spectral profiles, the height and area of all three peaks along with area of entire TCHO region were higher (P < 0.05) in VLF-2 than VLF-1 except the area of TCHO first peak. The multivariate molecular spectral analyses were also able to distinguish between VLF-1 and VLF-2 spectra almost in all respective region. The results of this study indicated that carbohydrates molecular nutrition and structure profiles differed between VLF varieties. This study showed that the alteration of internal traits by modern breeding technology impact molecular nutrition and molecular structure. Vibrational ATR-FTIR spectroscopy could be used as a potential rapid tool to evaluate impact of alternation of carbohydrate on interactive relationship between the molecular structures and nutrient supply and metabolism of carbohydrates in ruminant systems.