Combination of Alkalies in Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment of Crop Residues

Wheat and rice straws were treated with 1% alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) containing either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) or different combinations of the two in 1:10 ratio for 17 hrs at room temperature. The solubilization of lignin was maximum in AHP treatment (contalning 1.5% NaOH, v/w) which was also reflected by the highest in-sacco digestibility of nutrient as compared to the other treatments. It was concluded that rather than using NaOH or NH₄OH exclusively for making the media alkallne, a combination of the two i.e. 1.12% NaOH (v/w) and 1.5% NH₄OH (v/w) was more effective in improving the nitrogen status as well as nutritive value of poor quality crop residues.