Increasing the palatability and digestibility of rice straw by treating with alkalies and pressurized steam
2000
Zia-ur-Rehman (Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs., Lahore (Pakistan). Biotechnology and Food Research Centre) | Hussain, A. | Shah, W.H.
The effect of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and high pressure steam treatment on the composition and digestibility of rice straw by ruminants were studied. About 3% reduction in silica contents was observed after treatment with NaHCO3 or Na2CO3 while it was 4.2% when rice straw was successively treated with Na2CO3 in the presence of steam under pressure. Reduction in neutral detergent fibre especially in hemicellulose (upto 9.3%) along with threefold reduction in sugars was noted. A significant reduction in lignin content was also observed due to the action of these alkalies alone or in combination with steam treatment. Organic matter digestibility of rice straw on treatment with NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 increased by 15.4% and 19.9%, respectively, whereas it was only 9.5% with high pressure steam treatment. The digestibility increased upto 21.1% due to combined effect of Na2CO3 and steam. Moreover, digestibility of cellulose was also improved as a result of these treatments.
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