Effects of treating wheat straw with pH-regulated solutions of alkaline hydrogen peroxide on nutrient digestion by sheep

• Published in: Journal of dairy science 1987-10, Vol.70 (10), p.2078-2084
• Main Authors: Kerley, M.S, Fahey, G.C. Jr, Berger, L.L, Merchen, N.R, Gould, J.M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABSORCION DE SUBSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; ABSORPTION DE SUBSTAN0493CES NUTRITIVES; ADDITIF AUX ALIMENTS DES ANI; ADITIVO DE PIENSOS; ALKALI TREATMENT; Animal Feed; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cellulose - metabolism; DEGRADATION MICROBIENNE; DETERIORO MICROBIANO; Digestion - drug effects; FEED ADDITIVES; Feed and pet food industries; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; MICROBIAL DEGRADATION; NUTRIENT UPTAKE; OVIN; OVINOS; PAILLE DE BLE; PAJA DE TRIGO; PEROXIDO DE HIDROGENO; PEROXYDE D'HYDROGENE; SHEEP; Sheep - metabolism; TRAITEMENT AUX ALCALIS; TRATAMIENTO ALCALINO; Triticum; WHEAT STRAW
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(87)80256-4

An experiment using a 4 X 4 Latin square design was to determine effects of treating wheat straw with pH-regulated (pH = 11.5) solutions of hydrogen peroxide on site and extent of nutrient digestion in multiple-fistulated sheep. Regulating reaction pH at 11.5 prevented solubilization of some cell wall hemicelluloses, resulting in improved retention of DM. Diets fed to sheep contained 33 or 70% wheat straw either untreated or treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. Sheep fed diets of treated wheat straw digested more DM, NDF, ADF, and cellulose anterior to the duodenum and in the total tract than when fed diets of untreated wheat straw. Apparent CP digestion before the duodenum was highest when sheep were fed the treated 33% wheat straw diet and untreated 70% wheat straw diet. Treatments did not affect apparent nutrient digestibilities in the large intestine. Ruminal pH was lower when sheep were fed the alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated or diets containing 33% wheat straw. Ruminal ammonia concentrations were highest when sheep were fed the untreated 70% wheat straw diet. Molar proportions of ruminal acetic and propionic acids were unaffected by diet. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment substantially increased susceptibility of structural carbohydrates of wheat straw to microbial degradation in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep.