Changes in cell wall compositions and degradation kinetics of electron beam-irradiated sugarcane bagasse

Abstract

Electron beam irradiation of sugarcane bagasse at doses of 250 and 500 kGy could change its cell wall composition and ruminal fiber degradation characteristics by breaking offthe lignocellulosic bonds. Nylon bags of untreated or electron beam-irradiated bagasse were suspended in the rumen of 3 fistulated rams for up to 72 h, and the resulting data were fitted to a nonlinear degradation model to calculate the degradation parameters of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Irradiation had no effect on crude protein, ether extract, and ash, but resulted in a linear decrease of the cell wall contents. An increasing electron beam irradiation dose linearly increased the water soluble fraction, degradable fraction, degradation rate, and effective degradability of the DM and NDF (P < 0.001 for all). At doses of 250 and 500 kGy, the effective degradability of the NDF at a ruminal passage rate of 0.05/h increased by 11% and 20%, respectively, compared to the untreated sample. In conclusion, electron beam irradiation can be used to improve the nutritive value of roughages in ruminant nutrition. © TÜBİTAK.