4.1    Nutritional properties of formaldehyde treated protein meals

Usually,    rumen     degradability of crude protein from protein meals is  in  the  range of  50-75 per cent (Table 4.1). As a result, net availability of amino acids for milk production is low. If these protein meals are given suitable chemical treatment to reduce rumen degradability of protein to 25-30 per cent, net availability of amino acids could be increased for  milk  synthesis. The amount of   formaldehyde   required   to optimally  protect  protein  in  different  protein  meals, without  decreasing the  digestibility of protein and essential amino acids is very important. If excess formaldehyde is used to protect protein,  then the complexes formed  between formaldehyde and amino group  of protein are acid resistant (Ashes et al. 1984) leading to reduce protein digestibility and bio- availability of essential amino acids at intestinal level. In effect, the protein will  be “over protected” from ruminal degradation and metabolism.