Improvements relating to methods of recovering nutrient constituents from forage crops and products obtained thereby

摘要

Substances of nutritional value to animals are obtained from forage crops such as grass, clover, alfalfa and legumes, which have been harvested green and artificially dehydrated, by heating in an acid or alkaline aqueous medium at above 100 DEG C., the liquid extract being then, if desired, separated from the solid residue and concentrated or dried, e.g. by spraying. Alternatively, the dehydrated material may be steeped in water below 100 DEG C., and, after separation of the liquid from the solid residue, either the liquid or the solid may be heated in an acid or alkaline aqueous medium at above 100 DEG C. Into an animal diet containing the essential amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, salts, and known vitamins may be incorporated the liquid extract, the solid residue, or both, together with, if desired, the untreated dehydrated crop or the liquid or solid residue obtained by steeping the dehydrated crop in water below 100 DEG C., comparative tables of increases in weight and in blood haemoglobin for chicks receiving such supplements to a basal diet of stated composition being given.