The chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzed with calcium oxide (CaO) in two periods were evaluated. The doses of calcium oxide applied to bagasse were 0; 1.25; 2.5; and 3.75% (dry matter basis) and the treatment periods were 12 and 36 hours. The dry matter sugarcane bagasse was larger when hydrolyzed for 36 hours. The crude protein mean value observed was 2.4%, with no effects of period, CaO doses, or period and CaO interaction. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, celluloses, and lignin levels linearly reduced with CaO added. The IVDMD increased with CaO add, estimating increase of 1.2% for each CaO unit added to sugarcane bagasse. The periods of 12 or 36 hours can be adopted to sugarcane bagasse treatment with CaO. The CaO addiction to sugarcane bagasse improve its nutritive value.
bagasse; sugarcane; cellular wall; chemical treatment; nutritive value
