Abstract
In two separate trials with lambs, high temperature (250°C) and pressure (17.5 kg cm −2) processing of maize cobs increased ( P < 0.05) dry matter digestibility, intake and weight gain. However, the increase in dry matter intake was maintained only for the first 28 days of the trial. The later decrease in intake could have been related to non-enzymic browning reaction which accompanied processing. The efficiency of sodium metabisulphite in reducing or eliminating the effects on animal performance of the browning reaction was tested in three subsequent studies. The addition of 1% sodium metabisulphite to processed cobs improved ( P < 0.05) digestibility in vitro and in vivo but did not affect protein digestibility nor nitrogen retention. Protein digestibility was also improved ( P < 0.05) by processing pressure. In a growth study, the addition of the chemical (1.5%) was associated with a depression in feed intake which could be attributed to the deleterious effects of high residual sulphur.
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