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Influence of Formaldehyde Treatment and Energy Additions on Microbial Metabolism of Coastal Bermudagrass Protein in Wethers

Field Crops Utilization and Marketing Research Laboratory, USDA, SEA^,2

Abstract

The effects of formaldehyde and energy additions to a Coastal bermudagrass (CBG) hay diet on intraruminal protein transformations, microbial protein synthesis and various abomasal protein components were studied. Four mature ruminally and abomasally cannulated wethers were used in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Treatments were: 1. CBG + 15% corn starch (CBG + CS); 2. CBG + 15% solka-floc (CBG + SF); 3. CBG treated with 1% formaldehyde (F-CBG) + 15% CS; and 4. F-CBG + 15% SF. Treatment of CBG with formaldehyde decreased (P<.05) ruminoreticular dry matter (DM) digestion and increased (P<.05) DM reaching the abomasum. Crude protein (CP) in the particulate abomasal digesta, total CP and nonammonia CP reaching the abomasum were all increased (P<.005) by formaldehyde treatment, whereas the addition of CS or SF had no effect on these parameters. CP equivalent from ammonia in the abomasal digesta decreased (P<.005) from 30.9 and 29.6 g/day for CBG + CS and CBG + SF to 9.2 and 13.2 g/day for F-CBG + CS and F-CBG + SF, respectively. Total amino acids reaching the abomasum were 58.3, 68.0, 84.0 and 81.4 g/day for CBG + CS, CBG + SF, F-CBG + CS and F-CBG + SF, respectively. Total microbial protein reaching the abomasum was estimated from diaminopimelic (DAP), ribonucleic (RNA) and deoxribonucleic (DNA) acids. The quantity of microbial protein recovered varied inversely with DM digestion in the rumen but varied directly with DM passage from the rumen to the abomasum. The estimates of microbial protein based on DAP and RNA recoveries from the abomasal digesta were similar and were higher than those based on DNA recovery.

¹ Research Animal Physiologist and Research Chemicsts, respectively, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, Athens, GA.

² Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by the U. S, Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of others which may be equally suitable.