CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF AQUATIC MACROPHYTES. IV. CAROTENOIDS, SOLUBLE SUGARS AND STARCH IN RELATION TO THEIR PIGMENTING, AND ENSILING POTENTIAL

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Abstract
An investigation was conducted on the levels of carotenoids, soluble carbohydrates and starch in several freshwater plants indigenous to Chemung Lake and Lake Ontario. Carotenoids and carbohydrates were analyzed in washed plant materials. Levels of carotene and xanthophyll varied greatly with species. However, essentially all the aquatics contained considerably higher amounts of both carotene and xanthophyll than did alfalfa or corn gluten meal. The dihydroxy pigment (DHP) was the predominant xanthophyll isomer, being in the range of 70–80% of the total xanthophyll content in most species. The monohydroxy pigment (MHP) was present in minor amounts. The DHP equivalent (DHPE), calculated as 1/2MHP+DHP, indicated that about 80–85% of the xanthophylls in the aquatic macrophytes should be biologically available in imparting color to fat and skin of poultry. Lemna minor and a sample of mixed plant species contained essentially equal proportions of soluble sugars and starch, while the proportions varied in the remaining species. The sum of soluble carbohydrates and starch in most investigated species ranged between 8 and 11%. This level is too low for adequate fermentation during the ensiling process and thus the aquatic plants would need supplementation with a rich source of soluble carbohydrate.

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