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Relationship between water holding capacity and fibre concentration in equine feeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

J J Hyslop ,
B M L McLean  and
M J S Moore-Colyer
J J Hyslop
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh, Dept Vet Clinical Studies, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
B M L McLean
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh, Dept Vet Clinical Studies, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
M J S Moore-Colyer
Affiliation:
Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth SY23 3AL, UK
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Extract

The water content of feedstuffs is an important factor when considering both the nutritive value of a feed for dietary rationing purposes and when assessing the functional properties associated with the practical inclusion of a feedstuff in animal diets. Water is a vital nutrient in its own right and must be supplied on a daily basis. Feed associated water provides one source of this obligatory requirement. In addition, the water holding capacity (WHC) of a feedstuff and its relationship with other constituents of the feed may have important effects. Water can be associated with feedstuff in one of three ways (Robertson and Eastwood, 1981b). Firstly, water can be bound by the hydrophilic polysaccharides of the fibre component of feeds. Secondly, water can be held within the structural fibre matrix of feeds and finally, water can be associated with feedstuff fibre other than bound or matrix water and is usually considered as water trapped within the cell wall lumen.

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Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 32: Emerging Equine Science , 2004 , pp. 233 - 237
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2004

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