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Evaluation of Ammonium Lignin Sulfonate as a Non-Protein Nitrogen Source for Sheep^{1, 2,}

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

Abstract

In vitro rumen fermentation and in vivo metabolism and growth trials were conducted to determine the availability of the nitrogen in ammonium lignin sulfonate (ALS), a by-product of the paper industry, to sheep. When both criteria (protein synthesis and organic matter digestibility) were considered in the in vitro trails, the nitrogen in ALS was as available to the rumen microorganisms as the nitrogen of urea.

Six rations were fed to sheep in two metabolism trials and one growth trial. Three rations, designed to contain 8 to 10% crude protein and 28% crude fiber and formulated to contain ALS at 2, 4 and 8% dry matter, were compared with three similar rations containing isonitrogenous amounts of urea nitrogen. Dry matter digestibility was similar for all six rations. Although nitrogen utilization was quite variable within treatments and no significant effects were observed, trends indicated nitrogen balance increased with ALS supplementation and decreased with urea supplementation. Although weight gains of lambs fed three levels of ALS and three levels of urea in the growth trial were not significantly different, mean values indicated a trend toward lower weight gains with higher levels of supplementation. High intakes of sulfur may have interfered with carbohydrate and/or lipid metabolism in lambs fed ALS at 4 and 8% of the ration dry matter. However, the results of both in vitro and in vivo trials indicated that ALS nitrogen was similar to urea nitrogen as a NPN source for sheep.

¹ Authorized for publication November 14, 1973 as Journal Series No. 4572 in the Agricultural Experiment Station.

² From a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 1972.

³ Present address: 1935 Brookside Drive, Edgewood, Maryland 21040.

⁴ Department of Animal Science 16802.

⁵ The authors wish to thank H. Hathaway and the Proctor and Gamble Company for partial support for this work and for supplying the ammonium lignin sulfonate.