Lignocellulose in Ruminant Nutrition

Lignocellulose varies markedly in lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content depending on its plant source and stage of maturity. Nutritionally, cellulose and hemicellulose are the important components because they can be utilized by the rumen microflora and provide the host animal with a source of energy. As a plant matures, varying amounts of the cellulose and hemicellulose present are made unavailable to the rumen microflora by the chemical and/or physical properties of the lignocellulose complex. Within practical limits, reduction in particle size has little influence on the digestion ceiling of lignocellulose but greatly speeds up rate of processing in the rumen resulting in a corresponding increase in animal production. Chemical processing or gamma radiation disrupts the lignocellulose complex, allowing the rumen bacteria access to energy previously unavailable.