title: Alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment unlocks energy in agricultural by-products.
abstract: Lignocellulosic residues (wheat straw, corncobs, and cornstalks) were treated with a dilute alkaline solution of hydrogen peroxide and suspended in cattle rumen in situ to measure microbial degradation. The rate and extent of dry matter disappearance were markedly increased as a result of the treatment. Results in vivo indicate that this treatment increases the fermentability of wheat straw structural carbohydrates such that this agricultural by-product may be considered an acceptable energy source for the ruminant animal. Treatment of wheat straw allowed more complete bacterial colonization and more rapid degradation of the cell wall.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kerley
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fahey
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lee Baker