Verdant Sweets: Analysis of NSC in Grass Using NMR

Abstract

Levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in pasture grass have been a subject of research due to their association with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). The various capabilities of NMR in grass analysis was demonstrated by the identification and tentative quantification of NSC in grass in various forms. A method of sample preparation was developed and optimized. Resulting spectra were compared based on the time of day of harvest and also by plant maturity. Comparison by plant maturity showed that NSC, most notably glucose, decreases in content as the plant ages. Usage of NMR in equine forage analysis can yield useful data in a straight-forward, efficient-manner.