Characterization of Anthocyanidin-Accumulating Lc-Alfalfa for Ruminants: Nutritional Profiles, Digestibility, Availability and Molecular Structure, and Bloat Characteristics

Grazing cattle on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) would be economically beneficial, but its rapid initial rate of protein degradation results in pasture bloat, low efficiency of protein utilization and excessive N pollution into the environment. Introducing a gene that stimulates the accumulation of mono/polymeric anthocyanidins might reduce the ruminal protein degradation rate and reduce bloat related foam stability. The overall objective of this thesis was to evaluate newly developed anthocyanidin-accumulating Lc-alfalfa progeny for nutritional properties (composition, site of degradation and molecular structure), environmental emissions and bloat characteristics.;The objective of the first study was to determine survival and phytochemical and chemical profiles of Lc-alfalfa progeny (Beav Lc1, RambLc3 and RangLc4) and their non-transgenic (NT) parental cultivars (Beaver, Rambler and Rangelander). Lc-alfalfa forage accumulated enhanced amounts of anthocyanidin, with an average concentration of 197.4 µg/g DM, while proanthocyanidin (i.e. condensed tannins) were not detected.;The objective of the second study was to evaluate in vitro degradation, fermentation and microbial-N partitioning of three forage color phenotypes [green, light purple-green (LPG) and purple-green (PG)] within Lc-progeny and their parental green NT-alfalfa varieties. Effective degradable DM and N were lower in the three Lc-phenotypes compared with NT-alfalfa. Anthocyanidin concentration correlated negatively with gas and methane production rates and effective degradability of DM and N.;The objectives of the third study were to evaluate in situ ruminal degradation characteristics and synchronization ratios, and to model protein availability to dairy cattle and net energy for lactation of three Lc-alfalfa progenies, BeavLc1, RambLc3 and RangLc4 and the cultivar AC Grazeland (selected for a low initial rate of ruminal degradation). The hourly rumen degraded protein balance between 4 and 24 h was similar and more balanced for all four alfalfa populations.;The objective of the fourth study was to determine foam formation and stability in vitro from aqueous leaf extracts of three Lc-alfalfa progeny (BeavLc1, RambLc3, RangLc4), parental NT-alfalfa and AC Grazeland (bloat reduced cultivar) harvested in the field at 07:00 or 18:00 h. Anthocyanidin accumulation averaged 247.5 µg/g DM in the leaves of the three Lc-progeny.;In conclusion, all Lc-alfalfa progeny and phenotypes accumulated anthocyanidin in their forage. Lc-alfalfa progeny had lower protein and higher carbohydrate content which improved the nitrogen to carbohydrate balance compared to their parental NT-alfalfa cultivars. Rate of fermentation and effective degradability in vitro reduced for both purple anthocyanidin-accumulating Lc-alfalfa phenotypes compared with NT-alfalfa. Intestinal protein availability tended to be higher and net energy for lactation was higher from Lc-alfalfa progeny for dairy cattle compared with AC Grazeland. Foaming properties were reduced in Lc-alfalfa progeny compared with parental non-transgenic alfalfa but not compared with AC Grazeland. However, differences between the Lc-alfalfa progeny and other cultivars were small. Therefore, further increases in mono/polymeric anthocyanidin accumulation in alfalfa are required in order to develop an alfalfa cultivar with superior nutritional and bloat preventing characteristics compared to currently available alfalfa cultivars. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).