Fibrous Constituents Research Articles

Digestive utilization of concentrated and fibrous diets by two peccary species ( Tayassu peccari, Tayassu tajacu) raised in French Guyana

Three experiments were carried out on 17 adult collared peccaries ( Tayassu tajacu) and 4 adult white-lipped peccaries ( Tayassu peccari) maintained in metabolic crates to measure the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and the rate of passage of feed. Experiment 1 concerned the effect of the species, experiment 2, the effect of the feeding level on TTAD and experiment 3, the effect of dietary fibre level on the rate of passage of feed. The TTAD of dietary components of a concentrated feed was similar to that observed in monogastric species (88.8% for gross energy, 83.3% for nitrogen), but TTAD of fibrous constituents was consistently higher in peccaries (62.0% for neutral detergent fibre NDF, 55.7% for acid detergent fibre ADF). No significant effects of the species nor level of feeding were observed. Average maintenance requirement for energy was estimated at 420 kJ digestible energy (DE)/kg metabolic body weight/day. Animals were able to use and digest a large proportion of fibrous material supplied by rice bran or by a tropical hay from Brachiaria humidicola but a linear decrease of 0.6% in TTAD for each increase of 1% dietary NDF level was observed. The TTAD of energy for rice bran and hay components was respectively 82.7 and 46.5% in connection with a high digestibility coefficient for NDF and ADF components of both products. Additional data indicated an increase in the mean retention time when animals were fed a hay based diet, suggesting a high digestive capacity of adults for fibrous diets. In conclusion, peccaries function more like ruminant animals than monogastric digestors. The present results could be a useful basis for formulation of appropriate diets and practical feeding of the peccary species raised in semi-intensive conditions.

Dynamic moduli of rabbit lung tissue and pigeon ligamentum propatagiale undergoing uniaxial cyclic loading

In fibrous connective tissue networks, mechanical loads may be transferred from one fiber to the next by friction between slipping fibers (J. Appl. Physiol. 74: 665-681, 1993). Here we tested that hypothesis; it predicts that elastance of fibrous networks increases with increasing frequency, decreases with increasing strain amplitude (delta epsilon), and decreases with tissue swelling by solvent. Similarly, it predicts that hysteresivity (eta) decreases with increasing frequency, increases with increasing delta epsilon, decreases with tissue swelling, and, importantly, exceeds that of isolated fibrous constituents of the matrix. Elastance and eta of two structurally dissimilar connective tissues were measured, the rabbit lung parenchymal strip (a loose collagenous tissue) and the pigeon ligamentum propatagiale (an elastin-rich tissue). Experiments covered the frequency range 0.03125-3.125 Hz. Elastance of lung parenchyma was substantially lower than that of propatagial ligament, increased linearly with the logarithm of frequency, and decreased with delta epsilon; that of ligamentum propatagiale was insensitive to both frequency and delta epsilon. eta of lung parenchyma decreased moderately with increasing frequency and assumed values of approximately 0.1, but eta of ligamentum propatagiale was frequency and delta epsilon invariant and assumed values an order of magnitude smaller. These tissues also showed disparate mechanical responses when exposed to hypertonic bath solutions. Although there were some quantitative differences between predictions and experimental observations, the dynamic behavior of lung parenchyma was generally consistent with that of a network in which load is transferred from one fiber to the next by the agency of friction acting at slipping interface surfaces.

Microstructural investigation of low-density carbon-carbon composites

The microstructure of low-density (0.13–0.64 Mg m−3) carbon-carbon composites was investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and image analysis. All samples initially contained varying proportions of rayon precursor carbon fibres, recycled fibrous material and phenolic resin precursor matrix, and were manufactured utilizing a vacuum moulding technique. Some of the composites were densified using the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of pyrolytic carbon. All the composites were shown to have a two-dimensional planar random microstructure, with a distinct layering effect being seen on the microscopic (and sometimes macroscopic) level. The degree of layering in the composites was quantified utilizing image analysis and was found to be most pronounced in samples containing no recycled material, and least pronounced in samples containing all of its fibrous constituent as recycled material. The composites were found to be very porous, the pores consisting of mainly interconnecting open pores (typically 65–85% of the sample volume). In non-CVD samples the fibrous material was held together by thin (<5 μm) discrete “matrix bonds”, with a few large (typically 100 μm×200 μm×800μm) fibre bundles also existing within the structure. In the CVD-processed material the deposit coat on the fibres was of even thickness throughout the composite and joined together fibrous material that was not previously in contact.

Features of the fracture of specimens of low-carbon steels under impact and static loading conditions

1. Use of the relative length of a stable cracklc/b, where b is specimen width, is proposed for evaluation of the fracture resistance of a steel and determination of the critical defect size. 2. 09G2S steel has higher impact strength and crack resistance and a lower ductile-to-brittle transition temperature but a greater anisotropy of properties than 20 steel. 3. In fractures of specimens of 20 and 09G2S steels at temperatures of the ductile-to-brittle transition in impact bend and static tensile tests zones of drawing out (Θ1) and of shear (Θ2) and separation (Θ3) fracture were observed. Their total is the zone of stable crack growth (lc). The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of 20 steel determined from the fibrous constituent in the fracture (F=50%) is practically independent of notch sharpness of the specimens used.

Effect of different supplements on the degradability of organic matter, cell wall constituents, in vitro gas production and organic matter digestibility of wheat straw

Samples of wheat straw were suspended in the rumen of animals fed under the different treatments. The disappearance of organic matter and fibrous constituents from the nylon bags suspended in the rumen of animals was not significantly different amongst Groups II, III and IV, but was significantly ( P < 0.01) higher as compared to group I. As a result, rate of degradation of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and cellulose in the rumen of animals increased significantly when the basal diet of wheat straw was supplemented with either concentrate mixture or urea-molasses block. Thus, time taken (h) for 50% retention of dry matter (DM) in the nylon bags was significantly ( P < 0.01) higher in Group I (93.61 ± 2.76) as compared to Groups II (70.25 ± 3.30), III (74.95 ± 2.69) and IV (75.46 ± 3.51). The other fibrous fractions such as NDF, ADF and cellulose followed a similar trend. In another experiment, gas production (ml g −1 of wheat straw) was studied using rumen fluid of animals under different treatments. It was observed that gas production was not significantly different during Phase I (first 3 h of incubation when soluble fractions are rapidly fermented) and II (from 4 h of incubation when mainly cell wall fractions are fermented) of incubation amongst groups I (3.01 ± 0.02; 0.93 ± 0.06), II (3.03 ± 0.06; 0.87 ± 0.03), III (3.06 ± 0.03; 0.91 ± 0.03), and IV (2.99 ± 0.96; 0.88 ± 0.02). Similarly, in vitro organic matter digestibility of wheat straw determined using rumen fluid of animals under different treatments was non-significantly different amongst Groups I (44.66 ± 0.28), II (45.18 ± 0.39), III (45.66 ± 0.27) and IV (43.87 ± 0.76). These studies suggest that microbial activity, as indicated by wheat straw degradability from nylon bags, was poor when the animals were fed only wheat straw and increased significantly and at a similar level when supplemented with either concentrate mixture or different urea-molasses mineral block (UMMB) licks.

Leaf morphology and water status changes in Triticum durum under water stress

Water relations, leaf morphology and the chemical composition of cell walls in irrigated and unirrigated plants of three durum wheat eultivars were measured at two growth stages (booting and flowering). Plant response to water stress differed at the two stages: cell wall elasticity increased at booting and osmotic potential values decreased at flowering; this may be due to the changes in stress history, leaf development and plant growth stage between the two harvests. Leaf tissue characteristics were modified by water stress only at flowering: accumulation of fibrous constituents and hemicellulose in the cell walls, reduction of acid detergent fiber (ADF) per unit of leaf area, increase in specific leaf weight (SLW), decrease in turgid weight/dry weight ratio (TW/DW) and alteration in mesophyll cell morphology (cell area / ceil perimeter ratio) were observed.Generally, cv. Valforte (the less drought‐resistant cultivar) had the greatest mesophyll cell area and perimeter and it had greater values of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) at the booting stage than cv. Appulo. Reactivity to water stress differed in the eultivars: Valforte showed the greatest increase in hemicellulose content and decrease in cell dimensions under drought at flowering.No significant relationships between osmotic potential and mesophyll cell characters were observed; there were no correlations among cell wall elasticity, cell morphology and the chemical components of leaf tissue. The total fiber content and the hemicellulose per unit of leaf area were correlated with the TW/DW ratio at flowering. This parameter decreased more in plants subjected to water stress owing to accumulation of hemicellulose. Correlations between leaf structural constituents and $$ suggest that the absorptive capacity of the cell wall may significally affect the osmotic volume of the cell.

Tannin Concentration and Quality Changes in Sorghum as Affected by Maturity and Sorghum Type1

Speculation has arisen over the feeding value of silages produced from bird‐resistant (high tannin) sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of maturity on tannin content in the grain and whole plants of bird‐resistant and bird‐susceptible grain and forage sorghums, and to determine the relationship between tannin content and other quality attributes such as crude protein (CP), acid‐detergent fiber (ADF), neutral‐detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Four hybrids of each sorghum type were grown in the field, and entire plants were harvested at boot and hard‐dough stages of maturity. Grain was harvested at milk, hard‐dough, and mature stages. Significant differences (P&lt;0.05) were measured in grain tannin level among the three sorghum types. Tannin levels were highest in grain of bird‐resistant hybrids, with forage‐type sorghums being intermediate, and bird‐susceptible entries lowest. Significant reductions (P&lt;0.05) in tannin level occurred in grain of bird‐resistant hybrids as the grain matured, but increased significantly with maturity in the whole plant. Changes in whole‐plant tannin levels over the season were inconsistent in both bird‐susceptible and foragetype sorghums. Crude protein was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in grain at the milk stage than at hard‐dough for all hybrids. Significant reductions in CP were observed in all hybrids as the plant matured from boot to hard‐dough. Fibrous constituents, ADF and NDF, decreased and IVDMD increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) as plants matured. Whole‐plant tannin level was negatively correlated with CP and IVDMD, and positively related to fibrous constituents. Results of this study indicate that feeding value of the silage of bird‐resistant sorghum hybrids would be reduced by high concentration of tannin at the hard‐dough stage of maturity.

Isolation and characterization of salt-soluble cross-linked elastin from vascular tissue.

Fibrous elastin, a stable and important constituent of vascular tissue undergoes degenerative changes including fragmentation in atherosclerosis. The nature of the protein fragments produced during the in vivo degradation of elastin is largely unknown. From salt extracts of haemodynamically stressed tissue in sheep, polypeptides were isolated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. These polypeptides coacervated and had amino acid compositions similar to those of in vitro solubilized elastins. The presence of the cross-links, desmosine and isodesmosine, in the isolated material indicates that the fragments originated from fibrous elastin and that cleavage of cross-links is not necessary for the solubilization of the fibre.

Proposed Use of Adjusted Intake Based on Forage Particle Length for Calculation of Roughage Indexes

Effects of forage intake and particle length on chewing time were investigated. Two ratios of forage to concentrate, 33:67 and 50:50, and three lengths of forage particles were compared in two 3×3 Latin squares repeated a second year. Distribution of forage particle length was determined with an oscillating screen particle separator. Weighted mean particle lengths, .31, .43, and .51cm, were measured for the three forages.Actual intakes of forage dry matter and fibrous constituents were multiplied by mean particle length of the forage to obtain intakes adjusted (kg.cm) for particle length. Although there were no differences in intake of forage dry matter, or of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber between forage particle lengths, adjustment for particle length revealed that total chewing time was associated with mean particle length of the consumed forage. Total chewing time affected concentration of rumen volatile fatty acids, pH, and milk fat percentage between ratios of forage to concentrate.Roughage indexes based on adjusted forage intake or intake of forage fibrous constituents are reported. The quadratic equation that described the roughage index (Ŷ) for the adjusted forage intake was Ŷ = 365.2−69.6X + 4.73X2.

Zones of plastic deformation under the surface of impact fracture of steel 45

1. The presence of two zones of plastic deformation under the fracture surface in impact loading is revealed. The temperature relationship of the depth and degree of plastic deformation of the material in these zones in the brittle-ductile transformation area is investigated. 2. The appearance of the weakly deformed macrozone is related to reaching the critical degree of plastic deformation on the fracture surface ec at which the fibrous constituent appears in the fracture. The temperature of occurrence of this zone corresponds to the lower brittle-ductile transition temperature; the temperature of reaching the critical degree of plastic deformation in this zone e y max corresponds to the upper brittle-ductile transition temperature.

Effects of Fall Clipping or Burning on the Distribution of Chemical Constituents in Bluebunch Wheatgrass in Spring

We examined the effects of fall clipping or burning on chemical constituents and their distribution in bluebunch wheatgrass the following spring. The study was made in both a big sagebrushbluebunch wheatgrass and a Douglas fir-bluebunch wheatgrass community. The concentration of mineral constituents (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium) was lower while the concentration of fibrous constituents (acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin) was higher in leafy material at the top of the plant. In the big sagebrush community, the differences among treatments were generally greater in the lower segments of plants. Generally, the mineral constituents increased while the fibrous constituents decreased from the control to the clipped to the burned treatment. The treatment effect was more variable in plants from the Douglas fir community. Burning causes an increase in mineral constituents and digestibility (Daubenmire 1968; Pearson et al. 1972) whereas grazing does not appear to affect plant chemistry (Rickard et al. 1975; Willms et al. 1980). There is no information available on the vertical distribution of chemical constituents in bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) and little information that compares the effects of burning or grazing on plant chemistry. A study was made to determine the effects of fall clipping or burning on plant chemistry and on the distribution of chemical constituents within the plant.

Título en español.

Ciento una muestras de yerbas tropicales de 30 días de edad se evaluaron con respecto a sus componentes químicos. Estas ya estaban establecidas en parcelas de 10 m.2 en la colección de gramíneas del Colegio de Ciencias Agrícolas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, localizada en Mayagüez. Las yerbas se abonaron ligeramente con nitrato amónico a razón de 350 kg./Ha. El contenido de proteína cruda varió de 9.8 a 23.8% mientras que el de lignina varió de 2.6 a 7.9% Se obtuvieron variaciones amplias en contenidos de fibra neutrodetergente (45.7 a 79.2%), fibra ácidodetergente (30.9 a 45.3%), hemicelulosa (11.7 a 37.5%) y sílice (0.4 a 5.5%). Los estimados de digestibilidad obtenidos por el metodo de Tilley y Terry y la digestibilidad de la fibra neutrodetergente presentaron variaciones amplias: 42.6 a 66.0 y 22.0 a 62.0%, respectivamente. El coeficiente de desaparici6n de la materia seca total vari6 de 44.3 a 78.2%. Los estimados de digestibilidad a base de ecuaciones de predieción variaron de 74.0 a 94.5% para la materia seca digestible estimada, de 67.3 a 91.7% para la materia seca real digestible estimada y de 54.4 a 78.8% para la materia seca parente digestible estimada. El análisis de varianza presentó variaciones significativas entre y dentro de los géneros, indicando la posibilidad de mejoramiento genético por selección de ciertos géneros a base del alto valor nutritivo. La correlación de la sílice con la digestibilidad varió entre los géneros. La fibra ácidodetergente aparentemente es más importante que la lignina para determinar los valores de digestibilidad. La contribución de la razón lignina a fibra ácidodetergente al estimar la digestibilidad, incluyendo todos los datos, fue mucho menor para los estimados in vitro que para los estimados calculados de ecuaciones predictivas. Esto tiende a indicar que la lignificación de la celulosa tiene una menor influencia en la digestibilidad de los forrajes tropicales que en los de zonas templadas. Los coeficientes de digestibilidad basados en los componentes fibrosos no estuvieron bien correlacionados con los coeficientes de digestibilidad in vitro, lo cual indica que las ecuaciones de predicción desarrolladas para los forrajes de zonas templadas no son necesariamente las más adecuadas para los forrajes tropicales. Se observó una gran variación en los coeficientes de correlación obtenidos entre los correspondientes parámetros evaluados en cuatro géneros: Paspalum, Pennisetum, Digitaria y Panicum.

Estimating the Nutritive Value of Forages Containing Tannin and Phenols by Chemical and Bioassay Methods1

AbstractAnti‐quality substances in crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) and sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don] require that analytical methods show their presence and effect on nutritive value of these forages. This study compares a chemical and a bioassay (in vitro dry matter disappearance) method of estimating the nutritive value of six morphologically different crownvetch clones (separated into stems, petioles, leaflets and flowers) and three strains of sericea lespedeza (separated into stems and leaves).The chemical method uses detergents to fractionate the fibrous constituents of forages. Use of the content of fibrous fractions in a summative equation provides an estimate of true digestible dry matter (EDDM). The bioassay relies on rumen microflora to degrade the forage sample, resulting in an in vitro estimation of dry matter disappearance (IVDMD).When total phenol and tannin concentrations were high and fiber low (leaf tissue) agreement was lacking between the chemical and bioassay methods (crownvetch r = —0.22; lespedeza r = —0.38, harvest 1 and r = 0.04, harvest 2). The relationship between methods was significant (P ≤ 0.01) when total phenol and tannin concentrations were low and fiber (stems) of primary concern (crownvetch stems r = 0.93; lespedeza stems r = 0.59, harvest 1 and r = 0.77, harvest 2).The chemical method was insensitive to either total phenol or tannin concentrations, whereas, the bioassay appeared sensitive to both structural constituents and the anti‐quality substances. Methods used to estimate nutritive values of forages that reflect only some of the quality constituents are of specific applicability and their indiscriminate use may lead to erroneous conclusions.

Cytodifferentiation and proteoglycan biosynthesis.

The connective and skeletal tissues are concerned chiefly with the formation and maintenance of bodily structure. In addition to a wealth of collagen or other fibrous constituents, these tissues contain in their intercellular matrix a specific group of polysaccharideprotein compounds ("proteoglycans**"), in which the polysaccharide moiety ("mucopolysaccharides") is composed of characteristic disaccharide units. A large body of evidence has now accumulated on the chemical characterization and structural configuration of the intercellular constituents. Certain aspects of the formation and deformation of the intercellular matrix and the role of cells in these processes have been studied also in some detail. Furthermore, a number of recent studies have called attention to the action of extracellular macromotecules on cells in a manner resulting in profound alteration of cell metabolism, growth, and various other properties. Our interest in the chemistry and metabolism of proteoglycans is an outgrowth of a curiosity about the mechanism of cytodifferentiation of cartilage cells

A study of workers exposed to asbestiform minerals in commercial talc manufacture

A clinical and environmental study was made of a group of 39 workers exposed to commercial talc dust, of which tremolite and anthophyllite were the major fibrous components and the findings were compared with a control group. The data showed that in spite of a mean exposure of 16.2 yr with a range of 11–22, only one of the workers exposed to commercial talc dust showed a chest roentgenogram consistent with pneumoconiosis. The only significant difference between talc workers and control was in the number of people having dyspnea and its severity. The authors considered both the element of smoking and the exposure to commercial talc as aggravating factors which accounted for the dyspnea. The findings of the 39 workers in the present study were compared to those obtained from 35 workers studied earlier in another talc plant. Both groups had similar mean durations of exposure to commercial talc but the degree of exposure of the group of 35 was appreciably greater. In the latter group there was a significantly increased prevalence of pneumoconioses. It is possible that commercial talc containing tremolite and anthophyllite as major fibrous constituents may be less fibrogenic than chrysotile or amosite at the degrees of dust exposure present in this study.

A review of some effects on health and performance of variations in the physical form of the diet of the growing pig. II. Fibrous constituents and water level.

A review of some effects on health and performance of variations in the physical form of the diet of the growing pig. II. Fibrous constituents and water level.

Effects of feeding frequency on energy and nitrogen balance in sheep given a ground and pelleted forage

Wether sheep were fed at intervals of 3 hr, 24 hr, and 4 days, and their energy utilization studied at several levels of feeding. The diet consisted of ground and pelleted lucerne containing 19% crude protein and 28% crude fibre. Digestibility was a few units lower when feeding was less frequent; crude protein and fibrous constituents were affected most. The relation between methane production and digestible energy was the same for daily as for 3-hourly feeding, but methane production was depressed by feeding every fourth day only. Metabolizable energy was a slightly greater proportion of digestible energy when feeding was infrequent. A larger fraction of metabolizable energy was dissipated as heat when feeding frequency decreased. This was attributed to the cost of alternating between energy storage and oxidation of reserves: activity differences were not a cause. Overall, the net energy value of the food decreased as frequency of feeding decreased. Prediction from chemical composition or digestibility was not reliable. Measurement of hour by hour changes in metabolism indicated that there was an intense phase of fermentation and lipogenesis immediately after feeding. With 3-hourly or daily feeding, the oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and methane production increased respectively by 0.7, 2.5, and 0.3 l/hr/100 g food eaten in the first hour: with the highest level of feeding, these represent increases up to 2.4-fold and an R.Q. of 1.15. With feeding every fourth day the responses were very much less, indicating depressed rumen activity; blood urea levels were also relatively low.

A Comparative Study of the Susceptibility and Response of Eight Species of Marine Pelecypods to the Trematode Himasthla quissetensis

Specimens of eight species of marine pelecypods, Crassostrea virginica, C. gigas, Mytilus edulis, Modiolus demissus, Ensis directus, Mya arenaria, Mercenaria mercenaria, and Tapes philippinarum, were individually challenged with 150 Himasthla quissetensis cercariae in order to study their susceptibility and reactions. Quantitative recovery rates are given. Metacercariae were found encysted in various tissues of all of the pelecypods except C. virginica and C. gigas. In C. virginica few metacercariae were found in blood vessel lumina. Except in T. philippinarum, when metacercariae were found in tissues, they were enveloped by a non-cellular, parasite-secreted inner cyst wall. In T. philippinarum, only those metacercariae found in the testes were enveloped by such a wall. In addition to the inner wall, an outer wall, comprised of host leucocytes and either myofibers or connective tissue fibers, surrounded encysted metacercariae in most instances. The fibrous constituent of the outer wall appeared to be dependent on the type of fibers available in the immediate proximity, while the leucocytes are believed to be attracted by the inner wall. Encysted metacercariae were found on the gill and mantle surfaces of C. virginica and C. gigas and on the palps of M. edulis. These are believed to be inactivated, and thus prevented from invading the molluscs, by some host-elaborated substance. Adults of the echinostomatid trematode Himasthla quissetensis (Miller and Northrup) were originally described by Stunkard (1937) from gulls, Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, which were experimentally infected with metacercariae in molluscs which had been exposed to Cercaria quissetensis Miller & Northrup, 1926, a larval trematode of the mud snail, Nassarius obsoletus Say, collected at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. In one abstract (Stunkard, 1934) and two papers (Stunkard, 1937, 1938), Stunkard reported the life cycle of this parasite. In these papers he recorded that seven species of marine molluscs, Mya arenaria L., Modiolus modiolus L., Mytilus edulis L., Cumingia tellinoides Conrad, Aequipecten irradians L., Ensis directus Conrad, and Crepidula fornicata L., were compatible second intermediate hosts into which the cercariae penetrated and encysted. He reported encystment in the mantle, gills, and foot of these molluscs. Uzmann (1951) reported that the soft clam, Mya arenaria, is an important second intermediate host of H. quissetensis in nature since he found 43 to 100% of the samples of this clam from Merrimac Bay, Plum Island Sound, and Annisquam River, Massachusetts, and 90% of 50 specimens of this clam from St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, to harbor metacercariae of this trematode. During a recent survey of the parasites of Nassarius obsoletus in Narragansett

In vitro Fermentation of Fibrous and Soluble Constituents of Legumes in the Rumen of the Cow

CONRAD et al.1 reported that washed lucerne fibre produces considerably more gas than, lucerne juice in in vitro experiments on fermentation in the rumen of cattle and concluded that the plant constituents responsible for the initial rapid gas production in acute bloat were associated with the fibre. These observations are not consistent with others which suggest that the non-fibrous portion of the plant is more important in the aetiology of bloat. Thus, for example, bloat tends to be correlated with succulent forages low in fibre2 and acute bloat can be produced by the oral or intraruminal administration of lucerne3–6 and clover juices7. During an investigation of the fermentation of the various plant fractions by rumen contents from cattle of different bloating potential, we have observed that rumen contents of cattle fed fresh red clover have little ability to ferment rapidly either clover or lucerne fibre. This communication presents a summary of these observations.

The composition and nutritive value, when fed to ruminants, of pea-pod meal and broad-bean-pod meal

Attention is directed in this paper to the desirability, particularly at the present time, of conserving, for purposes of winter-feeding, the pea-pods that accumulate in large quantities at the factories during the pea-canning season. Conservation on the farm is best carried out by the method of ensilage, young pea-pods, such as are obtained in the factory, giving rise to a very satisfactory type of silage without the use of molasses. Broad-bean-pods, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to successful conservation by ensilage, owing to the fact that they become “slimy” in the process and yield an unpalatable product.Both pea-pods and bean-pods are conserved in the factory by the method of artificial-drying. One such process is described in the present paper. The final product in both cases is obtained as a fine brown meal. Pea-pod meal, in some respects, particularly in regard to its satisfactory content of protein and lime, has a composition not unlike that of the leguminous hays. The similarity, however, does not extend to the fibrous constituent, pea-pod meal having a very much lower fibre content than the hays.An outstanding characteristic of pea-pod meal is its richness in sugar, no less than 16·5% of the dry matter consisting of a mixture of sucrose and invert sugar. It is the presence of this abundance of sugar that accounts for the favourable fermentation that takes place when young pea-pods in the fresh condition are conserved as silage.Bean-pod meal displays the same general features in respect of composition, but is distinctly poorer in lime and sugar than the pea-pod meal. Pea-pods and bean-pods, both in the fresh and artificially-dried condition, contain very little carotene and have, therefore, little or no significance as a source of this vitamin A-precursor in the feeding of live-stock.