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In vitro Evaluation of Ammonium Base Sulfite Liquor as an Energy and Nitrogen Source for Ruminants^{1, 2,}

Washington State University^,4, Pullman 99163

Abstract

The energy and nitrogen availability from softwood and softwood-hardwood blend ammonium sulfite liquor (ASL) were compared to urea-sulfur and urea-sulfur-molasses by in vitro techniques. Fluid collected from rumen fistulated sheep, previously adapted to a high energy ration containing 4% softwood-hardwood blend ASL (dry matter basis) was incubated with test substrates, in triplicate, for a 12-hr period. In vitro rumen microbial metabolism and growth were evaluated by gas, protein and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. Gas production was insufficient as a criterion to evaluate in vitro microbial metabolism of the various substrates, as there were no differences in the rates or total gas production. However, total VFA production increased with softwood, and softwood-hardwood blend ASL's at the 4, 8 and 12% levels when compared to substrates with urea-sulfur and urea-sulfur-molasses. Acetate and butyrate production was higher but propionate production was lower with the ASL's than with urea-sulfur and urea-sulfur-molasses diets. Nitrogen from low levels of ASL (4%) was not as well utilized as that from urea containing diets. High levels (20 to 100%) of ASL had an inhibitory effect on gas production and protein synthesis. Softwood ASL, at low levels, appeared to be more beneficial to microbial metabolism than the softwood-hardwood blends of ASL.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 4480. College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University. Project 0218.

² Appreciation is extended to Scott Paper Co., Everett, WA 98201 for partial support of this work.

³ The authors wish to express their appreciation to Mr. Kenneth R. McElvain and Mrs. Karen H. Tangen for their technical assistance.

⁴ Department of Animal Sciences.