Ozone treatment of forage: structure and digestibility of different types of lignified cell walls

Journal Article · · Crop Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1988.0011183X002800020033x· OSTI ID:6070854

Akin, D E; Morrison, III, W H

Ozone has been reported to reduce the lignin concentration in forages and to improve cell wall digestibility. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ozonolysis on cell wall structure of various lignified tissue types in forages. In vitro digestibility was evaluated gravimetrically and by scanning electron microscopy for leaf blades and stems of Coastal bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and for leaf blades of Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Boone orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Ozonolysis of bermuda grass increased the in vitro digestibility by 12.5 percentage units over control material, and further showed that the epidermis, parenchyma bundle sheath, and lignified xylem cells of the vascular bundles in leaf blades were made more available for microbial degradation. Ozonated bermuda grass stems showed greater degradation of the parenchyma tissue, and cell wall widths of the more recalcitrant xylem and sclerenchyma ring were reduced in width. Ozone affected the most resistant tissues, and increased their susceptibility to microbial degradation at the surface of cut ends of sections. Ozonolysis of leaf and stem sections cut at 20-, 10-, and 5-mm lengths usually did not significantly increase in vitro digestibility of various lengths of leaves and stems of forages, indicating the inability to penetrate and improve tissue digestibility within intact sections. The ability of O/sub 3/ to oxidize lignin without substantial losses of tissues may provide a means to elucidate the phenolic-carbohydrate interaction in cell walls.

• Research Organization: Russell Research Center, Athens, GA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6070854
• Journal Information: Crop Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Crop Sci.; (United States) Vol. 28:2; ISSN CRPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMAL TISSUES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBOHYDRATES
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL WALL
DIGESTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EPIDERMIS
EPITHELIUM
FOOD
FORAGE
GRASS
LIGNIN
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
METABOLISM
MICROSCOPY
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OZONE
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SKIN
TISSUES