Abstract

Previous research has shown that the water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) leaves differ from that of many other common forages. Analytical methods used to quantify WSC may underestimate the concentration of WSC in plantain herbage. To ascertain the suitability of current method, the conventional anthrone reaction method (AR) was compared against the phenol-sulphuric acid method (PSA). The WSC of eight plantain samples and one ryegrass sample were compared using AR and PSA against high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that AR greatly underestimated the WSC content of plantain compared with PSA, which was similar to HPLC (7.18%, 13.5%, 14.7% DM, respectively, P<0.001). The discrepancy between the results from AR and PSA was due to sorbitol, which was not detected using AR.

S, Jiang, RH Bryant, J Jiao, and R Tung

New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production, Volume 79, Palmerston North, 174-176, 2019