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Changes in the biochemical composition of herbage upon freezing and thawing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. C. Macrae
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organization, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPH
D. R. Campbell
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organization, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPH
J. Eadie
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organization, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPH

Summary

Six herbage samples (ranging from poor quality hill herbages to high quality ryegrass and clover) were analysed for soluble carbohydrate, total and soluble nitrogen (N), cell-wall carbohydrates and in vitro digestibility. Changes during freezing and thawing processes were measured. Invertase activity occurred in all frozen and thawed samples. Although the total N content of all samples remained constant throughout, the soluble-N contents of the four better quality herbages were considerably reduced on freezing and thawing. Cell-wall carbohydrates and in vitro digestibility measurements were unaffected by freezing and thawing.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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