Utilization of Alfalfa Juice Protein-Lipid Products by Lambs

Abstract

Alfalfa juice protein-lipid products were evaluated in digestion and growth experiments as sources of protein and energy for lambs. In the first experiment, juice was pressed from fresh alfalfa, emulsified with safflower oil and (A) dehydrated, (B) treated with formaldehyde and then dehydrated or (C) blended with solubles that remain after protein is removed from alfalfa juice and then dehydrated. The three products averaged 47% crude protein and 26% ether extract on a dry matter basis. In vivo digestibility of crude protein was 67, 26 and 65% for products A, B and C, respectively, and in vivo digestibility of ether extract was 63, 54 and 56%. Sixteen lambs were fed three corn-based diets containing 20% of the protein-lipid products (diets A, B and C) and a control diet (D) containing alfalfa meal and soybean meal during a 40-day study. Average daily gain for lambs on diets A, B, C and D was 324, 229, 332 and 288 g, respectively and average daily dry feed intake was 1,347, 1,180, 1,260 and 1,297 grams. Protein digestibility and gain were lower (P<.01) for lambs fed the formaldehyde-treated product. Lambs fed products with no formaldehyde grew as well as those fed the control diet. Linoleic acid increased more rapidly in adipose tissue of lambs fed the first two products than in the tissues of those fed the third product or the control diet. In the second experiment fresh alfalfa juice was emulsified with tallow and (E) dehydrated or (F) treated with formaldehyde and then dehydrated. For a third product (G) alfalfa juice protein was dehydrated and then blended with tallow. These products averaged 34% crude protein and 37% ether extract. A fourth product of dehydrated alfalfa juice protein (59% crude protein) contained no added lipid. In vivo digestibility of crude protein was 60, 47, 53 and 58% for products E, F, G and H, respectively, and that of ether extract was 73, 70, 67 and 60%. Sixteen lambs fed products E, F, G and H in corn-based diets gained 265, 237, 221 and 211 g daily and consumed 1,217, 1,125, 1,048 and 1,054 g dry feed daily, respectively. Formaldehyde treatment decreased (P<.05) crude protein digestibility but had no effect on digestibility of other components. There was no difference in intake or live weight gain among treatments, but total empty body protein and lipid gain tended to follow digestibility and dietary concentration of these components. Copyright © 1980. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1980 by American Society of Animal Science