QTL mapping of a high protein digestibility trait in Sorghum bicolor.

Compared with other cereal grains, Sorghum bicolor shows lower protein digestibility. The low digestibility is thought to result from disulfide cross linking in the beta- and gamma-kafirins. In contrast, the single recessive high digestibility/high lysine content (HD) mutation which confers greater grain digestibility exists in sorghum that is thought to result from reduced accumulation of gamma-kafirin that allows greater access to the high digestible alpha-kafarin fraction.