Effect of a Xylanolytic Enzymatic Extract from Cellulomonas flavigena on In Situ Ruminal Digestion of Agricultural Wastes

In situ ruminal digestibility of four low quality forages (corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw and alfalfa hay control) was evaluated with the addition of enzymatic extract of Cellulomonas flavigena. The enzyme extract (42 IU xylanases ml⁻¹) was sprinkled over the forages at 1 ml g⁻¹ 24h before incubation. Samples were incubated in the rumen of a Holstein cow fitted with a ruminal cannula for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72h. There were positive effects of the enzyme (P<0.05) on forage DM digestibility at 24 and 48 h of incubation. However, there was no variation in the NDF digestion owing to enzyme or the forage source. In contrast, ADF degradation showed differences (P<0.05) among forages in all incubation times, indicating that the enzyme acted on the hemicellulose and fodder containing different cell wall percentages. Results indicate that Cellulomonas flavigena enzymatic extract improves in situ degradation of DM and ADF in low quality forages.