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Changes in the nitrogenous components of gamma‐irradiated and inoculated ensiled ryegrass
Author(s) -
Heron Shirley J. E.,
Edwards R. Alun,
McDonald Peter
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740371005
Subject(s) - proteolysis , inoculation , lactobacillus plantarum , food science , amino acid , enzyme , chemistry , lactobacillus , biology , bacteria , biochemistry , lactic acid , fermentation , horticulture , genetics
A study was made of the role of plant and microbial enzymes in the major nitrogenous changes during ensilage. Perennial ryegrass was ensiled directly, after gamma‐irradiation, and after inoculation of the sterile grass with homofermentative lactobacilli. Plant enzymes mainly were responsible for proteolysis, whereas amino acid metabolism was the result of microbial activity. Inoculation reduced proteolysis: this was considered to be a result of rapid acidification. Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus faecalis were shown to be non‐proteolytic species with a limited ability to catabolise amino acids. Substantial quantities of water‐soluble carbohydrates were made available during ensilage.