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Protection of leaf protein of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) against degradation in the rumen by treatment with formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. L. Mangan ,
D. J. Jordan ,
Janet West  and
P. J. Webb
J. L. Mangan
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, A.R.C. Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT
D. J. Jordan
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, A.R.C. Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT
Janet West
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, A.R.C. Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT
P. J. Webb
Affiliation:
Plant Breeding Institute, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 2LQ
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Summary

Aqueous glutaraldehyde, in the presence of wetting agents Tween-20 or Haemosol, reacted with fresh cut lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), complete reaction being obtained with about 7·2 g (72 mmol)/kg herbage, or 18g/100g crude protein. Reaction with 25% w/v aqueous glutaraldehyde sprayed on to fresh lucerne was rapid, and at the rate of 66 mmol/kg lucerne, all aldehyde had reacted in 3 h and about 60% of the soluble leaf protein became insoluble. Formaldehyde at twice the molar concentration of glutaraldehyde was absorbed rapidly, but a longer time, up to 24 h, was required for the protein to become insoluble. Treatments with 22, 44 and 66 mmol glutaraldehyde/kg lucerne, and 44, 88 and 132 mmol formaldehyde/kg showed that reaction with leaf protein was approximately proportional to the amount of aldehyde. A major effect on the leaf cells was the fixation of chloroplasts, and intact fixed chloroplasts were isolated from treated lucerne with high protein: chlorophyll ratios of 5·8:1 to 9·5:1.

Two varieties of lucerne, Kabul and Europe, pot-grown in a controlled environment cabinet, reacted rapidly when sprayed with glutaraldehyde and in 3 h soluble leaf protein was reduced from 30 to 16–17% of the total N. The plants rapidly lost water and the dry matter of the leaves rose to 42% for Kabul and 45% for Europe in 24 h. Stems showed little effect. Field spraying of lucerne with glutaraldehyde similarly fixed soluble leaf protein and caused desiccation of the leaves, rising to 47–50% D. M. in 3 days. The stems were little affected and subsequent regrowth of the plants was not inhibited.

Feeding glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-sprayed lucerne to rumen-fistulated cattle showed that release of soluble leaf protein into the rumen fluid was greatly reduced, mean values being 40 and 43% respectively of the values obtained when control lucerne was fed. Mean ammonia concentrations were similarly reduced to 49 and 33% of the control values. Formaldehyde-treated lucerne, even after reaction for several days, frequently showed toxic effects on rumen micro-organisms, particularly protozoa. Glutaraldehyde reacted more rapidly with herbage and no toxic effects were observed. Both glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-treated lucerne were highly palatable to cattle.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 95 , Issue 3 , December 1980 , pp. 603 - 617
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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