Biochemical changes during moulding of self-heated hay in Dewar flasks

Moulding of hay was studied on samples moistened to 40% water content and allowed to heat aerobically in Dewar flasks. Reducing sugar, particularly glucose, decreased and there were increases in pH and in soluble and volatile N. Smaller increases in soluble and volatile N, as well as the conversion of nonreducing sugar to reducing sugar occurred in moistened, sterile hay incubated at 40°; these are analogous to changes during moist wilting of grass. Invertase activity in the hay was confirmed by incubation with sucrose and water.