Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of the mineral content of corn bran treated in vitro and by passage through the pig gastrointestinal tract

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 19; no. 1/2; p. 41
• Main Authors: Dintzis, F.R, Baker, F.L, Calvert, C.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1989
• Subjects: Animals; APPAREIL DIGESTIF; AZUFRE; BRAN; CALCIO; CALCIUM; CERDO; COMPOSICION; COMPOSITION; Digestion; DIGESTIVE SYSTEM; Digestive System - metabolism; Electron Probe Microanalysis; EXPERIMENTACION IN VITRO; EXPERIMENTATION IN VITRO; FOSFORO; IN VITRO EXPERIMENTATION; MINERALES; MINERALS; Minerals - analysis; Minerals - metabolism; MINERAUX; PHOSPHORE; PHOSPHORUS; PORCIN; POTASIO; POTASSIUM; SALVADO; SISTEMA DIGESTIVO; SON; SOUFRE; SULPHUR; SWINE; ZEA MAYS; Zea mays - analysis
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02925448

Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was tested as a method for examining the mineral contents of corn bran loaded in vitro or passed through the GI tract of pigs. Particles of dry-milled corn pericarp treated in vitro or retrieved from the stomach, ileum, and colon of killed pigs were prepared as microtomed bulk specimens directly embedded in resin. Because of heterogeneity caused by differences in substrate cell density and mineral content, X-ray count averages for a number of different specimens had a coefficient of variation greater than or equal to 0.24. Detectable amounts of K, Ca, S, and P, but not Na, Cu, Fe, or Zn were found in specimens of initial bran. Although detectable concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn could be loaded in vitro, these elements generally were not detected in bran retrieved from the pig GI tract. During GI tract passage, sodium was loaded onto bran mainly in the small intestine and unloaded in the large intestine. Calcium was loaded in the stomach and unloaded mainly in the small intestine. At each GI tract location, content of Na, Ca, K, and P in retrieved bran was greater than in the initial bran. EDX microprobe methods can be applied successfully to plant tissues treated in vitro and in vivo to investigate interactions with minerals in a diet.