The experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of sugar-cane bagasse containing 60% dry matter submited to increasing sodium hydroxide concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% NaOH on a dry matter basis). NaOH was applied as a 2:1 water:NaOH solution, over different treatment times (1, 3, 5, and 7 days). Plastic pails with 10 L capacity were utilized and stocked in climatic chamber at 25ºC constant temperature. The experimental treatments had no effect on the crude protein content of the sugar cane bagasse which averaged 1.6% CP. The dry matter content of the bagasse increased over of the days of treatment, without any effect of the NaOH solution concentration. Mean values for the bagasse neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents declined in response to NAOH solution concentration. NaOH treatment improved the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and sodium content of the bagasse. Time of treatment had no effect on these variables. The treatment of sugar cane bagasse with the NaOH solution improved its nutritive value in terms of its reduced cell wall constituents and increased IVDMD.
cell wall; digestibility; residue
