Nutrient Profiles, Sub-Fractions, Energy Values and Degradation and Digestion Kinetics and Their Relationship with Inherent Molecular Structures in Chickpeas

The objectives of this study were to (1) study chemical and nutrient profiles of CDC developed Chickpea variety (cv. Frontier Kabuli and Corinne Desi, with multi-year samples) in comparison with and a common CDC barley variety (cv. Cowboy) for ruminants in term of chemical profiles, protein and carbohydrate (CHO) sub-fractions, total digestible nutrients, and energy values, rumen degradation kinetics, and (2) quantify relationship between molecular structure spectral profiles and nutrient availability. The molecular spectral profile was carried out using Globar sourced-Fourier transform infrared vibrational spectroscopy (GS-FT/VIR). The nutritive value for ruminants (nutrient profiles, CHO and Protein subfraction and rumen degradation) were determined using conventional rumen in situ and in vitro methods and CNCPS6.5 system. The results showed that: 1) chickpea had higher (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP), non-protein nitrogen, truly digestible CP, soluble CP, water-soluble carbohydrates, energy values, rumen degradable, bypass and intestinal digestible protein, lower (P < 0.05) carbohydrates, truly digestible non-fiber CHO, hemicelluloses, lignin, neutral detergent insoluble CP, and rumen bypass CHO compared with the CDC cowboy barley. CDC Frontier Kabuli chickpea had greater (P < 0.05) soluble CP, non-fiber CHO, total rumen degradable CHO, rumen degradable, bypass and intestinal digestible soluble protein, total digestible nutrients, truly digestible non-fiber CHO, energy values, and lower (P < 0.05) acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble crude protein, cellulose than the Corinne Desi. 2) Molecular structure spectral profiles had a significant relationship with carbohydrate profiles, sub-fractions and rumen degradation, bypass, total digestible carbohydrate and protein. 3) Multiple regression study with parameter model selection indicated that molecular structure spectral profile could be applied to predict nutrient profiles and degradation characteristics for CDC chickpea and barley. In conclusion, CDC chickpea could be used as protein and energy source and Kabuli chickpea was better than Desi. Molecular structure spectral parameters had relationship with nutrient digestive features, could be used to predict nutrient availability in ruminants.