MECHANISM OF SPONTANEOUS HEATING OF HAY .2. CHEMICAL-CHANGES IN SPONTANEOUSLY HEATED HAY

Chemical composition of Italian ryegrass samples spontaneously heated to 80 to 200 degrees C was measured using acid detergent and enzymatic analysis methods. Chemical reactions in hay during spontaneous heatin g were studied The amount of cellulose and hemicellulose decreased in spontaneously heated hay, but no changes were observed in sugar conten t. Protein was bound by spontaneously heating, resulting in the increa se of artifact lignin and acid detergent fiber contents. The evaluatio n of heat and mass balances indicated that carbohydrate degradation pr oducts of cellulose and hemicellulose were lost in decomposition, oxid ation, and Maillard reactions during the spontaneous heating.