The structure of plant cell wall carbohydrates creates the strength and flexibility of the plant cell wall, which shapes plants’ overall agronomic fitness in the field. Differences in cell wall carbohydrates and associated compounds are also influential post-harvest, since carbohydrate structural characteristics can influence a material’s food processing characteristics, feed value for livestock, and biofuel production potential.

The core areas of Dr. Schendel’s research program at the University of Kentucky are plant cell wall characterization (especially detailed structural analysis of cell wall carbohydrates) and analysis and application of phenolics and other secondary plant metabolites. Strategic collaborations have allowed us to explore applied questions such as ruminant microbe fermentation of cell wall carbohydrates. This seminar will share results from several projects, including our in-depth characterizations of the cell walls of cool-season forages and hempseeds and exploration of their seasonal and species/cultivar variation.