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Science 15 November 1985:
Vol. 230. no. 4727, pp. 820 - 822
DOI: 10.1126/science.230.4727.820
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Articles

Alkaline Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment Unlocks Energy in Agricultural By-Products

M. S. KERLEY 1, G. C. FAHEY JR. 1, L. L. BERGER 1, J. MICHAEL GOULD 2, and F. LEE BAKER 2

1 Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
2 Northern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604

Lignocellulosic residues (wheat straw, corncobs, and cornstalks) were treated with a dilute alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide and suspended in cattle rumen in situ to measure microbial degradation. The rate and extent of dry matter disappearance were markedly increased as a result of the treatment. Results in vivo indicate that this treatment increases the fermentability of wheat straw structural carbohydrates such that this agricultural by-product may be considered an acceptable energy source for the ruminant animal. Treatment of wheat straw allowed more complete bacterial colonization and more rapid degradation of the cell wall.

Submitted on June 10, 1985
Accepted on September 5, 1985


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Effect of alkali pretreatment of wheat straw on the efficacy of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes.
Y. Wang, B. M. Spratling, D. R. ZoBell, R. D. Wiedmeier, and T. A. McAllister (2004)
J Anim Sci 82, 198-208
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)