| abstract |
A method for increasing the digestibility of cellulose in biomass and for producing fermentation feedstocks and animal feeds from biomass is disclosed. The methood comprises adding a basic material to biomass, and feeding the basic material and the biomass through an extruder. The biomass may be selected from agricultural byproducts such as bagasse, corn stover, straw, and hulls. The basic material may be selected from calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, urea, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, hydrated lime, soidum hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide. Preferably, the basic material is added to the biomass in a dry form, and most preferably includes urea. Also disclosed is an animal feed formed by adding a basic material and molasses to biomass, and an animal feed produced from biomass by mixing a portion of acid treated biomass with a portion of base treated biomass. |