Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate a suitable technology for the use of bagasse of Agave tequilana W. var. azul in food ratios for ruminants. Physical and chemical characteristics of ba- gasse were evaluated. According to these characteriztics, bagasse can be used as a supplement in ruminant feeding. However, an inconvenience is the low digestibility of bagasse, due to its high content of lignin, used to decrease this a calcium hydroxide treatment was used. The chemical treatment was conducted in a glass reactor (50 L) with the following conditions: concentration of Ca(OH)2 of 2, 5 and 10 %, bagasse humidity of 20 and 80 %, temperatures of 30 and 50 °C. Digestibility tests were conducted in chemically treated bagasse. The digestibility increased from 36 % (untreated bagasse) to 54.5 % with the best treatment (80 % moisture, Ca(OH)2 10 % and 50 °C). It can be concluded that the bagasse treated with Ca(OH)2 can be used as supplement in the composition of ruminants diet based on the digestibility results.
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