A method for partitioning neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrates

A method was developed to fractionate the neutral detergent-soluble carbohy drates (NDSC) in feedstuffs. Differential solubilities of carbohydrates in 80:20 (v/v) ethanol/water were used to partition NDSC into organic acids (O A) and mono- and oligosaccharides soluble in ethanol/water from starch and neutral detergent-soluble fibre (NDSF) which are insoluble. Mono- and oligo saccharides (total ethanol/water-soluble carbohydrate) were measured on the ethanol/water extract, and starch was measured on the ethanol/water-insolu ble residue. The OA and NDSF, the two most compositionally diverse NDSC fra ctions, were estimated by difference. The method allows partitioning of the NDSC on a nutritionally relevant basis into (1) organic acids, (2) total e thanol/water-soluble carbohydrate, (3) starch and (4) neutral detergent-sol uble fibre. The methods involved in this fractionation are relatively simpl e or are commonly used. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.