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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
The bioavailability of palm date leaves is low because of high levels of lignocellulosic materials in the cell wall. The presence of lignin protects carbohydrates from attack by rumen microbes (De La Cruz,1990). Steam treatment increases feed intake, overall digestibility and live weight gain, because of the extensive destruction of the cell wall (Castro and Macchado,1990). Steam treatment effects have been ascribed to complete hydrolysis of hemicellulose (Grohmann et al., 1985), lignin depolymerization and redistribution within the cell wall (Toussaint et al., 1991). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of steam pressure and reaction time on bioutilisation of palm date leaves.