Combination of Ultrasound with Ammonification Pretreatment for the Fiber Composition of Corn Straw: a Predictive Model by Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Corn straw can be used as feed for ruminant. However, because of the fiber composition of corn straw, it is difficult for ruminant to digest and utilize corn stalk. The application of ultrasound in the fiber composition of corn straw under ammonification pretreatment was investigated in this study. Response surface methodology to the development of a predictive model for the content of various kinds of fiber in ultrasonic ammonification-assisted corn straw degradation was established. Effects of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic time, liquid-to-solid ratio and sound power density in the container were investigated. In addition, this study optimized the process parameters using response surface methodology in order to facilitate ruminant digestion and utilization of corn straw. Optimal conditions were following: ultrasonic power was 85 W; ultrasonic time was 16 min, liquid-to-solid ratio was 15:1 and sound power density in the container was 1.9 W/mL.