Effect of gaseous ammonia on barley straws showing different rumen degradabilities

Straw samples from five cultivars of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L; Golden Promise, Golf, Klaxon, Heriot and Doublet), selected to show a range of rumen degradabilities, were examined to measure the effect of gaseous ammonia on aspects of their cell wall composition and degradability after treatment. Cellulose degradability of the untreated straws, as measured by the nylon-bag method, ranged from 41.0% for Golden Promise to 57.1% for Doublet. The extent of improvement in degradability following ammonia treatment was 12.5% units for Golden Promise and only 2.5% units for Doublet, showing that the effect of ammonia was more pronounced for materials of lower inherent degradability (r= ?0.774). Straw from three of the five cultivars was dissected into its botanical parts, and the dry matter content and digestibility of the fractions were determined. Leaf material formed a higher fraction of dry matter in Doublet (0.48), the most degradable cultivar, than in Golden Promise (0.30), the least degradable straw. Half of the observed difference in degradability between Doublet and Golden Promise could be attributed to differences in dry matter distribution between botanical fractions. For untreated straw, degradability was weakly, negatively correlated with the proportion of arabinose residues substituted with alkali-labile linkages at position 0–5 (r = ?0.690), and positively correlated with the moisture retention (water-holding capacity) of straws (r = 0.838), water-soluble dry matter content (r = 0.922) and water-soluble phenolic content (r = 0.791). The proportion of pentose residues carrying alkali-labile linkages was only slightly decreased followign ammonia treatment. In the case of the 0–5 position of arabinose residues the original values were reduced by 2.4–15.9%. Ammonia treatment had little effect on the capacity of the straw to retain moisture, and did not significantly increase the proportion of water-soluble dry matter or phenolics. Cellulose degradability, or the improvement in degradability, of ammonia-treated straw was not correlated with any of the physical and chemical characteristicds of staw considered above.     

Microbial degradation of normal maize and bm3 maize in the rumen observed by scanning electron microscopy

Samples of internodes and leaf blades from normal and bm3 maize (Zea mays L) harvested at dough to glazing stage were studied separately to determine their dry matter content, wall composition (NDF, ADF and ADL) and digestibility in sacco. For examination by light and scanning electron microscope, fragments 0·5 cm long were cut halfway along the internode beneath the female ear and on the corresponding blade. The wall and lignin contents of the bm3 maize were lower than in normal maize. The bm3 maize had a greater extent and faster rate of internode and blade disappearance in the rumen than normal maize samples. The histological structure of the two maizes was the same, but after 24 h in the rumen the parenchyma of the bm3 maize had degraded faster and the secondary walls of the fibres of its vascular bundles were degraded whereas those of normal maize had remained intact. After 72 h in the rumen the sclerenchyma of normal maize had changed little whereas that of the bm3 maize had much thinner walls and was abundantly colonised by rumen bacteria.     

The effect of cellulose crystallinity on the in vitro digestibility and fermentation kinetics of meadow hay and barley,wheat and rice straws

The effect of cellulose crystallinity on in vitro digestibility (IVD) and fermentation kinetics was investigated in samples of meadow hay and barley, wheat and rice straws. A saturated solution of potassium permanganate was used to isolate the celluloses, and their crystallinity was evaluated in a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer as the ratio of the observed transmittance at two distinct wave frequencies . IVD was determined after 48 h of incubation, and the kinetics of fermentation was studied with fully automated gas production equipment. Despite significant differences (P < 0.05), crystallinity showed low variation (0.30–0.42) among celluloses and correlated positively with IVD (P < 0.05). Although positively correlated with maximal gas production (r = 0.91) and rates of fermentation, IVD (averaging 784 g kg^?1 organic matter (OM)) was also low for all samples as compared with the usually referred values for isolated celluloses. The lowest means were observed for meadow hay and rice straw. The cumulative gas production profiles were well described by a monophasic model (r² = 0.997, RSD (residual standard deviation) = 8.367), but all the curves had a lag phase varying from 3 to 6 h. Cellulose isolated from rice straw showed the lowest maximal gas production (366 ml g^?1 OM) and highest times to reach half of the maximal gas production and maximal rate. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of two cellulose samples showing considerable gas production at highest rates as compared with cellulose isolated from rice straw that provided the lowest gas production at the lowest rate revealed generalised bacterial colonisation, the presence of glycocalyx fibres and cell erosion in all samples. Although samples collected after 12 h of fermentation appeared to present lower microbial attack as compared with those incubated for 24 h, TEM did not explain the observed differences in the data. Since crystallinity, IVD, gas production and rates of fermentation were shown to be associated with the nutritional availability of cellulose, further research dealing with extreme values of cellulose crystallinity may be important. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rumen degradation of cell wall polysaccharides in untreated and alkali-treated straws and cereal brans

Rumen degradation of cell wall polysaccharide constituents using the in sacco technique was studied for untreated cereal brans (oats, wheat and barley) and nine technically alkali-treated batches of barley straw. The alkali treatment included four ammonia treatments, two dry sodium hydroxide treatments and three wet sodium hydroxide treatments. On degradation of the cell wall polysaccharides, their main constituents, xylose and glucose, were released at about the same rate for the ammonia treatments and the dry sodium hydroxide treatments. For the wet sodium hydroxide treatments the degradation of the xylose residues was faster than the liberation of the glucose residues. For all treatments the liberation of the arabinose residues was faster than that of the xylose and glucose residues. The reason for the increased digestibility of the cell wall polysaccharides is suggested to be the breaking of ester and hydrogen bonds and the breaking of alkali-labile linkages in lignin, as well as changes in the surface layer of the straw. For the wet sodium hydroxide treatments the larger amount of water present during the alkali treatment processes is suggested to increase the diffusion of the alkali into the straw and to translocate a part of the hemicellulose. On the degradation of wheat and barley bran the liberation of xylose residues was fast whereas xylose and arabinose residues in oat bran were slowly liberated.     

Effect of hydrogen peroxide-dependent enzyme systems on the in-vitro digestibility of untreated and ammonia-treated barley straws

A series of small-scale in vitro experiments was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-dependent enzyme systems, peroxidase and glucose oxidase, in improving the nutritive value of ammonia-treated and untreated barley straw. H₂O₂ and peroxidase increased (P≤0.001) digestibilities when used individually, but their combined use did not influence digestibility significantly (P>0.05). The effect of H₂O₂ alone was greater than that of peroxidase alone. The combination of glucose and glucose oxidase to generate H₂O₂ produced a small but non-significant (P>0.05) increase in the digestibility of straw. The combination of glucose oxidase and peroxidase was ineffective in improving digestibility of straw. The digestibility values of ammonia-treated barley straw were always greater (P≤0.001) than those of untreated straw but none of the treatments showed any interaction with ammonia treatment. It is suggested that H₂O₂ treatment improves the digestibility of straw.     

Variations in mass and enzyme activity of rumen microorganisms: Effect of barley and buffer supplements

Four ruminally cannulated cows were used to investigate effect of barley with or without buffer on modifications of mass and enzyme activity in rumen microorganisms. Animals were given restricted feed (80% of ad libitum intake) of 7 kg DM day^?1 and with three successive diets. The diet H consisted of 100% Cocksfoot hay. The diet HB was 65% hay with 35% pelleted ground barley with infusion of bicarbonate salt for the diet HBB. The rumen was sampled before (-1 h) and after feeding (+ 5 h) to isolate liquid-and solid-associated microbial population. ¹⁵(NH₄)₂SO₄ was continuously infused into the rumen as a microbial marker. For all diets microorganisms associated with particles constituted a mean of 74% of the total rumen microbial mass. The density of microorganisms adherent to particles was similar (P > 0.05) for the different diets and the two sampling times, but fibrolytic enzymes activities (xylanase, CMCase, glycosidases) in this microbial population were maximal (P < 0.001) 23 h after feed intake. Xylanase (P < 0.05) and CMCase (P < 0.01) activities just before feeding varied according to diet; they were highest with diet H and similar between barley supplemented diets. Higher glycosidase activities were measured with diet H and HBB than with diet HB 5 h after feeding.     

Effects of including NaOH-treated corn straw as a substitute for wheat hay in the ration of lactating cows on performance,digestibility, and rumen microbial profile

This study measured the effects of including 5% NaOH-treated corn straw (T-CS) as a substitute for 15% wheat hay in the control total mixed ration (TMR) of lactating cows on performance, digestibility, and rumen microbial profile. Two groups of 21 cows each, similar in initial performance, were fed individually 1 of the 2 TMR examined. Voluntary dry matter intake of cows fed the control TMR was 4.3% higher than that of the T-CS cows, but in vivo dry matter and organic matter digestibilities of both groups were similar. Crude protein digestibility was higher in the control cows but digestibility of neutral detergent fiber polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicelluloses) was higher in the T-CS TMR. This was followed by 4.6% reduction in rumination time of the T-CS group. A slightly higher milk yield was observed in the control cows compared with the T-CS group; however, milk fat and milk protein content were higher in cows fed the T-CS TMR. This was reflected in 1.3% increase in energy-corrected milk yield and 5.34% increase in production efficiency (energy-corrected milk yield/intake) of the T-CS cows compared with the control. Welfare of the cows, as assessed by length of daily recumbence time, was improved by feeding the T-CS TMR relative to the control group. As a whole, the rumen bacterial community was significantly modulated in the T-CS group in the experimental period compared with the preexperimental period, whereas the bacterial community of the control group remained unchanged during this period. Out of the 8 bacterial species that were quantified using real-time PCR, a notable decrease in cellulolytic bacteria was observed in the T-CS group, as well as an increase in lactic acid-utilizing bacteria. These results illustrate the effect of T-CS on the composition of rumen microbiota, which may play a role in improving the performance of the lactating cow.     

Effect of calcium salts of fatty acids on rumen function and the digestibility of rations by sheep

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing chopped ryegrass hay with 0, 1.5, 3, 6 or 12% calcium salts of fatty acids (CaSFA; Megalac) on digestion in the rumen of cannulated cows and on nutrient digestibility by sheep. In-situ ruminal disappearances of dry matter (DM) and cell wall fractions (acid detergent fibre, ADF, and neutral detergent fibre, NDF) were measured by the nylon bag technique. The DM, ADF and NDF disappearances were reduced for diets containing CaSFA at the 1.5, 3 or 6% levels after 48 h of rumen exposure. For diets containing 12% CaSFA, irrespective of the time of rumen incubation, DM disappearance was decreased, while ADF and NDF breakdown was improved. CaSFA supplementation did not influence invitro fermentation characteristics (pH, volatile fatty acid patterns). A digestibility experiment with six mature sheep showed no difference in nitrogen digestibility between unsupplemented and CaSFA-supplemented diets. However, digestibilities of DM, ADF and NDF were higher relative to the basal for the 12% CaSFA: 63.1 versus 60.6%, 63.8 versus 58.7% and 67.4 versus 62.7%, respectively. Ether extract digestion was enhanced by increasing the level of CaSFA, the corresponding values being 49.1, 66.5, 78.6, 81.9 and 77.9% at 0, 1.5, 3, 6 and 12% CaSFA, respectively. Apparent digestibility of energy was higher for the 12% CaSFA than the control diet 68.8 versus 62.1%). Nitrogen and energy retention was improved due to the decreases in urine and faecal excretion, respectively.     

Assessment of nutritive value of cereal and legume straws based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility

The nutritive value of 17 straws was determined on the basis of their chemical composition, in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and rumen fermentation kinetics (from gas production curves measured in vitro). Five roughages were from the cereal species Avena sativa (oat), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Secale cereale (rye), Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Zea mays (maize stover). The other 12 samples were legume straws, two samples from each of the species Cicer arietinum (chickpea), Lens culinaris (lentil) and Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and one sample from each of the species Lathyrus sativus (chickling vetch), Lupinus albus (white lupin), Pisum sativum (field pea), Vicia articulata (one‐flowered vetch), Vicia ervilia (bitter vetch) and Vicia sativa (common vetch). All samples were collected after harvesting from different farms located in León (northwestern Spain). Based on their chemical composition, digestibility and gas production characteristics, species could be clustered into two groups with a significant linkage distance, one for cereal straws that merged at a level of similarity of 80% and the other for legume straws with a degree of similarity of 50%. Species varied widely and significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the two groups of straws. Legume straws showed higher crude protein (74 ± 6.1 vs 29 ± 2.2 g kg^?1 DM) and lower fibre (584 ± 18.1 vs 793 ± 27.5 g neutral detergent fibre kg^?1 DM) contents than cereal straws and, consequently, DM digestibility coefficients (0.670 vs 0.609; standard error of difference 0.0054) and metabolisable energy values (7.4 ± 0.15 vs 5.7 ± 0.24 MJ kg^?1 DM) were significantly greater in legume than in cereal straws. Although there were noticeable differences among species within each botanical family, legume straws showed better nutritional quality than cereal straws, indicating that they could be considered promising and interesting sources of roughage for incorporation into ruminant diets. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The ratios of degradation characteristics of forages in the rumen of dairy cows: effect of variety and stage of maturity

In situ digestive characteristics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), non‐fibre carbohydrates (NFC) and crude protein (CP) in alfalfa and timothy were determined in the rumen of dairy cows. Two varieties of alfalfa (Pioneer and Beaver) and timothy (Climax and Joliotte) were grown in western Canada and cut at three maturity stages (alfalfa: 1 = early bud, 2 = late bud, 3 = early bloom; timothy: 1 = joint, 2 = pre – bloom head, 3 = full head). Measured ruminal degradation characteristics were soluble fraction (NFC, CP), undegradable fraction (NDF, CP), lag time (NDF) and rate of degradation of the insoluble but degradable fraction (NDF, NFC, CP). All measured characteristics showed large differences between the two forage species (alfalfa vs timothy) and to a lesser extent between the maturity stages and varieties. Mean total rumen available NDF (248.6 vs 282.5 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)), NFC (200.5 vs 106.1 g kg^?1 DM) and CP (139.7 vs 44.5 g kg^?1 DM) differed (p < 0.01) between alfalfa and timothy. Based on the measured characteristics, degradation ratios were calculated between total rumen available N and carbohydrates (FN/FCHO), soluble N and carbohydrates (SN/SCHO) and rumen available insoluble N and carbohydrates (EN/ECHO). The ratios showed large differences between the two forages species and to a lesser extent between the varieties and stages of maturity. Alfalfa species had significantly higher (p < 0.01) ratios of FN/FCHO (49.8 vs 18.3 g kg^?1), SN/SCHO (115.0 vs 36.1 g kg^?1) and EN/ECHO (28.3 vs 12.0 g kg^?1) than timothy. These results indicate that alfalfa varieties exhibited a superior rumen fermentation ratio (optimum FN/FCHO = 25–33 g N kg^?1 carbohydrates). The results also suggest a potential N loss in alfalfa and N shortage in timothy. Comparing the two varieties of alfalfa, no differences (p > 0.05) were found in the ratios of FN/FCHO and EN/ECHO, but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in SN/SCHO (132.3 vs 97.6 g kg^?1). However, comparing the two varieties of timothy, there were significant differences (p < 0.01) in FN/FCHO (23.8 vs 12.8 g kg^?1) and EN/ECHO (15.3 vs 8.7 g kg^?1) ratios but not in SN/SCHO ratio (p > 0.05), indicating large differences between legume and grass. As plant maturity advanced from stage 1 to stage 3, there were no significant changes in all ratios in alfalfa and timothy except the EN/ECHO ratio in timothy (14.3, 13.4 and 8.3 g kg^?1 at stages 1, 2 and 3 respectively). It was concluded that the degradation characteristic ratios were dependent on species, variety and/or stage of maturity. Such ratios could be used to optimise a dairy diet composition with regard to rumen fermentation. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The nutritive values of feed proteins and feed protein residues resistant to degradation by rumen microorganisms

Fishmeal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and rapeseed meal (RSM) were incubated for 8h (RSM) or 24 h (FM, MBM) in nylon bags in the rumens of cattle, in order to prepare from each meal sufficient residues resistant to rumen degradation for evaluation of their nutritive value. The nitrogen (N) and organic matter (OM) contents of FM and MBM were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by rumen incubation. The modified acid detergent fibre content of RSM was increased, and only traces of glucosinolates remained after rumen incubation. The amino acid profiles of FM and RSM were observed to change as a result of rumen incubation, whereas that of MBM was unchanged. The true N digestibilities of all three protein meals when fed to rats as the sole protein source were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by prior rumen incubation (FM, 0.90 to 0.86; MBM, 0.81 to 0.55 and RSM, 0.76 to 0.67). When measured using a rat bioassay, the biological values of FM (65.0 to 79.2) and RSM (53.3 to 83.1) protein were significantly (P<0.05) increased as a result of rumen incubation but that of MBM was unchanged (47.7 vs 41.1). The N digestibility of the protein meals and of their residues resistant to rumen degradation were also estimated in cattle. Samples of the feedstuffs were placed in small polyester bags, inserted into the proximal duodenum of cattle, recovered in faeces and N disappearance from the bags measured. This technique ranked the N digestibilities of the feedstuffs in the same order as in the rat.     

Enzymic and in sacco methods to estimate rumen degradation of food protein in cattle

BACKGROUND: Two factorial studies compared enzymic and in sacco methods to estimate degradation of ruminant foods. Enzyme degradation (in vitro = enzyme) was determined from the release of leucine‐equivalent amino acid (LA) crude protein (CP) from sunflower meal (SF), maize gluten meal (MG), distillers' dark grain (DG) and field beans (FB) after their separate incubations with Streptomyces griseus enzyme for 0–24 h. In sacco crude protein (CP) degradation of these foods was estimated during washing (0 h) and rumen incubations in fistulated cows for 2–24 h. The LA data were expressed as g LA per either kg of CP (LACP) or acid‐hydrolysable LA (HLA) of each food and compared with in sacco data. RESULTS: These methods showed comparable degradation with time (P < 0.01). The in sacco and HLA were greater than LACP for all foods except MG where in sacco value was either lower or equal to LACP depending upon the incubation time (P > 0.05 or P < 0.05). Conversely, HLA was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than LACP from 2 h onwards. At 0 h, in sacco values were significantly greater than those of enzyme for SF, DG and FB (P < 0.05) but not for MG. The foods differed significantly for degradation constants (a, b, c) in each method (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite variations between in sacco and enzyme estimates for different foods, the relationships between these estimates suggest that the HLA enzyme method has the potential to estimate food degradation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility of protein and amino acids in high-protein feedstuffs commonly used in dairy diets

A study was conducted to determine the rumen degradation and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and AA, and AA composition of the rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) from 3 sources of blood meal (BM1, BM2, and BM3), canola meal (CM), low-fat distillers dried grains with solubles (LFDG), soybean meal (SBM), and expeller soybean meal (ESBM). Two Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and proximal duodenal cannulas were used for in situ incubation of 16 h and for the mobile bag technique. To correct for bacterial contamination of the RUP, 2 methods were used: purines and DNA as bacterial markers. Ruminal degradations of CP were 85.3, 29.8, 40.7, 75.7, 76.9, 68.8, and 37.0 ± 3.93% for BM1, BM2, BM3, CM, LFDG, SBM, and ESBM, respectively. Ruminal degradation of both total essential AA and nonessential AA followed a similar pattern to that of CP across feedstuffs. Based on the ratio of AA concentration in the RUP to AA concentration in the original feedstuff, ruminal incubation decreased (ratio <1) the concentrations of His, Lys, and Trp, and increased (ratio >1) the concentrations of Ile and Met across feedstuffs. Compared with purines, the use of DNA as bacterial marker resulted in a higher estimate of bacterial CP contamination for CM and lower estimates for LFDG and ESBM. Intestinal digestibility of RUP could not be estimated for BM1, BM3, and SBM due to insufficient recovery of residue. For the remaining feedstuffs, intestinal digestibility of RUP was highest for ESBM, followed by BM2 and LFDG, and lowest for CM: 98.8, 87.9, 89.7, and 72.4 ± 1.40%, respectively. Intestinal absorbable dietary protein was higher for BM2 compared with CM and LFDG, at 61.7, 17.9, and 20.7 ± 2.73% CP, respectively. As prices fluctuate, intestinal absorbable protein or AA may be used as a tool to aid in the selection among feedstuffs with different protein quality.     

Effects of variation in soluble carbohydrate intake on sulfur dynamics in the sheep rumen

Two groups of experiments were conducted (named the 15% starch and 30% starch intake experiments) to examine the effects of dietary energy levels on the synthesis of ruminal microbial protein and the absorption of sulfur from the rumen. The level of energy intake affected the absorption rate of sulfide from the rumen, the net microbial protein flow rate, the amount of microbial protein synthesized per kg organic matter ‘truly digested’ in the rumen and the daily flow of recycled sulfur. For the 15% starch and 30% starch intake experiments the absorption of sulfur from the rumen was 1.207 and 1.278 g day^?1 absorbed from 2.298 and 2.212 g intake, respectively, the flow of microbial protein was 80.2 and 92.1 g day^?1, respectively, and the estimated recycled sulfur was 0middot;357 and 0.670 g day^?1, respectively. It was estimated that 18.1 and 20.1 g of microbial protein was synthesized per 100 g of organic matter ‘truly digested’ in the rumen for 15% starch and 30% starch diets, respectively.     

Degradation of starch in feed concentrates by enzymes,rumen fluid and rumen enzymes

The degradation of starch from various feedstuffs was investigated with rumen fluid, α-amylase, pancreatin and a freeze-dried, cell-free preparation of rumen fluid. Rumen fluid was taken from either a hay-fed cow or a concentrate-fed cow. It was shown that incubations with rumen fluid at a constant pH of 6·5 gave a higher degradation of starch than those with a decreasing pH. The degree of starch degradation varied widely for the 21 feedstuffs investigated. Sorghum, maize and millet degraded slowly whereas tapioca showed fast degradation. Processed feedstuffs showed a higher level of degradation than unprocessed ones. The use of enzymes did not allow an accurate prediction of starch degradation by rumen fluid. However, this was made possible by the use of a freeze-dried, cell-free preparation of rumen fluid. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed that for the degradation of starch granules additional enzymes, present in rumen fluid, are necessary.     

Short communication: Intestinal digestibility of amino acids in fluid- and particle-associated rumen bacteria determined using a precision-fed cecectomized rooster bioassay

Microbial protein represents the majority of metabolizable protein absorbed by ruminant animals. Enhanced understanding of the AA digestibility of rumen microbes will improve estimates of metabolizable protein. The objective of this experiment was to determine the digestibility of AA in fluid- (FAB) and particle-associated bacteria (PAB) using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster bioassay. Bacteria were isolated from 4 ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein cows by differential centrifugation, including particle suspension in 0.1% Tween-80 for increased removal of PAB from ruminal digesta. Samples of FAB and PAB were fed to 9 cecectomized roosters to determine standardized digestibility of AA. Total AA digestibility was 76.8 and 75.5% for FAB and PAB, respectively, but did not differ. Differences existed in AA digestibilities within bacterial type when compared with the mean essential AA digestibility value. Compared with previous literature estimates of AA digestibility in microbes (mean = 76%; range = 57–87%) and relative to National Research Council estimates of total AA from rumen bacteria (80%), the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay is an acceptable in vivo model to determine AA digestibility of rumen bacteria.     

Use of in-vitro gas production to evaluate rumen fermentation of untreated and urea treated finger millet straw (Eleusine coracand) supplemented with different levels of concentrate

Measurement of gas produced during in-vitro fermentation was used to assess the ferment ability of urea treated and untreated finger millet straw to Which various levels of concentrate (maize/wheat bran/groundnut cake 35:32: 30) had been added. Data obtained from this technique were compared with in-vitro digestibility data obtained earlier on the same feeds. Similar trends for the effect of supplementation on digestibility were observed in both in-vitro and in-vivo measurements. Linear correlation equations were obtained between gas produced and the proportion of dry matter disappearing, enabling in-vitro gas production to be expressed in in-vitro digestibility's. A single pool exponential equation was fitted to the gas production data enabling estimates to be made of the time when in-vitro digestibility's best matched in-vivo digestibility data. These times were 45.8 and 47.9 h of untreated straw, 43.5 and 61.0 h for treated straw for trials 1 and 2, respectively. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) interactive effects between supplement and both treated and untreated straws were observed. The digestibility of untreated straw was particularly stimulated by small quantities of supplement. The digestibility of treated straw was higher than that of untreated straw and less stimulated by supplementation. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that fibre digestibility can be increased by providing a supplement which provides sufficient nutrients to stimulate the activity of rumen micro organisms.     

Degradation of condensed tannins by rumen microbes exposed to quebracho tannins (QT) in rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) and effects of QT on fermentative processes in the RUSITEC

In an earlier study it was observed that the rumen microbes from cattle which had never consumed tannin-containing diets do not have enzymes for degrading condensed tannins. In this study, rumen microbes were exposed to small amounts of quebracho tannins for 8 days using a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC). The levels maintained in the RUSITEC were 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg of the spray-dried quebracho powder (SDQT) per ml of the medium. After 8 days of tannin exposure, the liquor containing ‘exposed/adapted’ microbes from RUSITEC was incubated for 40 h without and with purified tannins of quebracho and Dichostachys cinerea leaves in in vitro gas method. There was no degradation of condensed tannins. The enzymes for degradation of condensed tannins were not induced in rumen microbes by exposure to different concentrations of tannins for 8 days in the RUSITEC. In the RUSITEC, SDQT significantly reduced the number of total protozoa, entodiniomorphs and holotrichs; effect was higher on holotrichs. There was no significant change in the levels of short chain fatty acid but the molar proportion of propionate was significantly higher and of butyrate significantly lower at 0.4 mg SDQT ml^?1. Significantly lower levels of ammonia in the medium was also observed on injection of tannins. Microbial mass production, calculated using ¹⁵N incorporation, was similar at 0.1 and 0.2 mg SDQT ml^?1 but significantly lower (13%) at 0.4 mg SDQT ml^?1. The dry matter digestibility of the feed (80% hay and 20% barley) was not significantly affected by SDQT.     

The effect of physical and chemical treatments on the degradation of wheat and barley straws by rumen liquor-pepsin and pepsin-cellulase systems

Samples of wheat and barley straw, milled through a 1 mm sieve, were ball milled to <0.25 mm as a representative physical treatment, or delignified by the acidchlorite procedure as a representative chemical treatment. The original and treated samples were examined using in-vitro digestion systems based on rumen liquor-pepsin and pepsin-cellulase. The digestibility was determined as well as the extent of digestion of the cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. The rumen liquor-pepsin system was able to digest a greater proportion of the original and treated straws than the pepsin-cellulase system while ball milling improved the digestibility more than delignification, irrespective of the digestion system. Core lignin was not digested by either system. Ball milling improved the digestibility of the cellulose fraction to a greater extent than the hemicellulose fraction, whereas delignification had a greater effect on hemicellulose digestion than on cellulose digestion. There were also differences in the rate of removal of the different sugar residues present in the hemicellulose fraction.