CA2121378C - Method for modifying oil seeds for use in ruminant feed - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for modifying canola seeds for use in ruminant feed is disclosed. The method comprises treating substantially intact oil seeds at a temperature of 30-90°C with an aqueous alkaline solution containing 1-20% by weight, based on the dry weight of the seeds, of alkaline agent, the solution having a pH of 10-14. The triglycerides, fatty acids and protein of the composition escape substantial release in the rumen, i.e. they bypass the rumen,and are digested further on in the abomasum and the small intestine.

Description

TITLE
METHOD FOR MODIF YING OIL SEEDS
S FOR USE IN RUMINANT FEED

FIELD OF THE INVENIION
The invention is a method for modifying oil seeds that are indigestible in the nlmin~nt digestive tract to render them suitable for use in rllmin~nt 10 feedstuffs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENIION
The feeding of nlmin~nts (bovine zlnim~lc, sheep, goats, and other ~nim~lc of the suborder Rllmin~ntia) presents special problems and special 15 opportunities. Special opportunities arise from the ability of nlmin~ntc to utilize insoluble cellulosic fiber which can be broken down by certain microorganisms but is generally not digestible by monogastric m~mm~ls such as pigs. The specialproblems arise from the tendency of certain feedstuffs to inhibit digestion of fiber in the rumen and from the tendency of the rumen to limit the utilization of 20 some of the components of certain feedstuffs such as fat and protein.
Traditional feedstuffs have not been able to meet the energy demands of rllmin~ntc, especially dairy cattle. This prevents dairy cattle from m~ximi~ing their potential in terms of milk production. The most common approach to increasing the energy density of the bovine diet is to increase the proportion of 25 grain at the expense of forage. However, excessive grain in the diet has beenshown to be associated with metabolic disorders which have a negative impact on the productive and reproductive performance of the ~nim~l, which in turn has been associated with a marked reduction in the life span of dairy cows.
An alternative way to increase the energy intake of rllmin~ntc is to 30 increase their intake of triglycerides having saturated and unsaturated fatty acid residues (sometimes collectively referred to as "fats"; the unsaturated fats aresometimes referred to as "oils"). Fats can be an excellent source of energy for rnmin~nts, but too much fat in the rumen can disrupt some of the highly complex rllmin~nt digestion processes. For example, fat can coat fiber in the feed, 35 thereby decreasing digestion of cellulose in the rumen. Fats can be toxic to microorg;~ni~mc in the rumen and can decrease cation availability.
Wellons, U.S. Patent 4,919,940, proposed an increase in the proportion of saturated fatty acid residues in triglycerides mixed with the dry matter of rnmin~nt feeds, because saturated fats have less harmful effects in the rumen *

than llns~turated fats. But apparently, the saturated fat content of cattle feedcan have an effect upon the degree of saturation of milk fat. Since the effect of saturated fats on sterol levels in hllm~nc is a matter of some concern, there may be drawbacks inherent in Wellons' approach to the formulation of feeds.
Palmquist, U.S. Patent 4,642,317, proposes supplying fatty acids from tallow, for example, to rllmin~nts in the form of their calcium salts. However, Palmquist expresses reservations about the use of high levels of calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (such as the calcium salt of linolenic acid), because nns~tllrated triglycerides are said to cause milk fat to turn rancid very quickly.
Another proposal involves "protecting" fats with a coating or encapsulation or some similar temporary barrier to digestion typically comprising protein treated with an aldehyde such as formaldehyde. The "protected"
unsaturated fats pass through the rumen without being digested and without being hydrogenated and are absorbed further on in the digestive tract of the ~lmin~nt Typically, safflower oil or ground soybeans and sunflower seeds are enclosed or encapsulated in formaldehyde-treated casein or the like and fed to dairy cattle. The formaldehyde-treated protein resists breakdown in the rumen but is hydrolyzed in the acidic environment of the abomasum. The triglycerides in the safflower oil or ground soybeans or ground sunflower seeds bypass the rumen and are digested further on in the digestive tract, thereby providing an energy source for the cattle without disrupting fermentation processes in the rumen.
While nlmin~nts derive energy solely from feedstuffs, they derive their protein needs from a combination of microbial protein (derived from microbes present in the rumen) and feed protein that escapes digestion (bypasses) the rumen. Since there is a limit to microbial protein synthesis, bypass protein required increases as milk production increases. It is now common practice to include a source of bypass protein in the diet of lactating dairy cows. Inclusion of such protein sources as well as an energy source is essential for these ~nim~l~ to achieve their genetic potential for milk production.
There are many commercial forms of bypass fat and protein on the market. Most of the commercially available bypass fats are in one of the "protected" forms. Some of the protein content of cattle feed is obtained as a by-product of vegetable oil m~nnfacturing processes. The meal (crushed seeds) left over after the vegetable oil has been removed is high in protein and low in triglyceride content.

212t37~

A need exits for a method for increasing the energy content of the diet of rllmin~nt.~, especially dairy cattle, that is relatively simple to use but (1) does not adversely affect digestion in the rumen and (2) does not increase the amount of saturated fatty acid in the milk.
s SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention is a method for modifying triglyceride-and protein-containing seeds for use in rllmin~nt feed. The method comprises treating substantially intact canola seeds at a temperature of 30-90~C with an 10 aqueous alkaline solution containing 1-20% by weight, based on the dry weight of the seeds, of alkaline agent, the solution having a pH of 10-14.
In another embodiment, the invention is a r~lmin~nt feed composition comprising an admixture of 1-30~o by weight of modified seeds with conventional nlmin~nt feedstuffs containing digestible fiber cellulosic material and a source of 15 protein and grain.
In still another embodiment, the invention is a method for feeding triglycerides, fatty acids and protein to a nlmin~nt without substantially inhibiting digestive processes in the rumen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A method for treating the oil seeds, especially canola seeds, to provide improved digestibility in the abomasum and small intestine of nlmin~nt~, withoutadversely affecting the microorg~ni.cm~ in the rumen, has been found. Seeds are treated with a base, i.e., an alkaline agent, and, optionally, hydrogen peroxide, at an elevated temperature to partially degrade the seed coat. This treatment is mild enough to cause the treated seeds to pass through the numen without releasing undesirably large amounts of fatty acids, but is sufficient to cause the seeds to breakdown in the acidic environment of the abomasum and the small intestine. While the method is particularly effective for the treatment of seeds of the genus Brassica, such as mustard seed, rapeseed, and canola seed, it can alsobe used for the treatment of other oil seeds that are indigestible in the nlmin~nt digestive tract.
Canola has many varieties and is a genetic derivative of rapeseed. Canola has an oil component that contains less than 2% erucic acid and a solid component that contains less than 30 micromoles of any one or any mixture of glucosinolates per gram of air-dry, oil-free solid, as measured by the gas chromatographic method specified by the Canadian Grain Commission.

Rapeseed has a higher content of one or both of erucic acid and glucosinolates, which makes it far less suitable for animal consumption.
Canola seeds are a conventional source of vegetable oil. Canola seeds, like other oil-containing seeds, have been crushed so that the oil can be removed 5 and used in the food industry. ~e by-product, canola meal, has been used in high protein cattle feed but does not contribute to the triglyceride or energy content of the feed.
Seeds of the genus Brassica, especially canola seeds, have the potential for significantly increasing both the amount of energy and the amount of protein in 10 rations for cattle and other mmin~nts. Plant structural carbohydrates and lignin within the canola seed coat prevent extensive degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose by cellulolytic microorg~nicms in the rumen or by the acidic enviroll~llent of the abomasum and the small intestine. Some method of treatment is required to alter the seed to a form suitable for utilization by 15 rllmin~nt~. Unlike the seed crushing process, the triglyceride content of the seed is not lost in this process. In addition, since the seed coat is part of the whole seed structure, it is not necessary to encapsulate the triglycerides. Thus, it is important that whole or substantially intact seeds are used, but the natural seed coat is treated to make it more susceptible to degradation in an acidic 20 environment.
An alkaline treatment of the canola seed, optionally combined with a hydrogen peroxide treatment, alters the seed coat so that it is broken down onlyslightly in the rumen but is very susceptible to degradation in an acidic environment. Treatment causes swelling of the seed without substantially 25 impairing the integrity of the seed coat. Consequently, fat bypasses the rumen and is released and digested further in the digestive tract. The treated seed can be used in feedstuffs for rumin~nts to increase both protein content and triglyceride content, especially the bypass fat or oil content, of the ~nim~l~' diet.
Whole or substantially intact seeds are used. Although other oil seeds 30 may be used, the preferred seeds are canola seeds, preferably those of the species B. napus, the species B. campestns, and varieties thereof. Preferably the seeds are screened prior to treatment, but are not crushed or disintegrated, so that the natural seed coat is physically unaltered.
The seeds are treated with an aqueous alkaline solution at a temperature 35 elevated above room temperature but below the boiling point of the solution, preferably a temperature in the range of 30-90~C, and especially 50-80~C. The alkaline solution contains 2-10% by weight, preferably 5-8~ by weight of the 212137~

alkaline agent, based on the dry weight of the whole or intact seeds. The concentration of the alkaline agent can be selected to provide a treatment medium having a pH of 10 to 14, preferably 10.5-13.
The preferred water-soluble inorganic base used as the alkaline agent is an alkali metal hydroxide, such as potassium hydroxide, but sodium hydroxide is preferred.
While it is not essential that hydrogen peroxide be used to treat the seeds, hydrogen peroxide facilitates the breakdown of lignocellulose materials and enhances the palatability of the treated seeds. In one embodiment, alkaline treatment is combined with hydrogen peroxide treatment. Gould, U.S. Patents 4,649,113, and 4,806,475, discloses treatment of lignocellulosic plant residues with moderately alkaline hydrogen peroxide as a means of obtaining dietary fiberfor monogastric In~mm~l~, including humans. A particularly convenient way to provide a treatment is by combining the alkaline agent and hydrogen peroxide.
The hydrogen peroxide content of the treatment solution can range from 0-4%
by weight, preferably 0.S% to 2.5%, based on the dry weight of the canola seed being treated.
In general, the treatment is carried out by ~lmixing the caustic, peroxide and seeds for a time sufficient to effect uniform coating of the seeds. It is preferred that the admixture remain free flowing. Treatment times as short as one minute are effective to obtain uniform coating of the seeds, but at least five minutes are preferred. Additional time is preferred after hydrogen peroxide addition. When hydrogen peroxide is initially included in, or later added to, the treatment solution, hydrogen peroxide treatment times preferably range from about 1 to about 30 minutes, more preferably 5 to 20 minutes.
Once the treatment solution has been formulated, the canola seed can be admixed, coated or sprayed with this solution. All of the aqueous solution addedto the canola seed appears to be adsorbed on the seed, therefore no waste stream is formed.
It is believed that treatment of the seeds with hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline medium has a strong effect upon cellulosic and hemicellulosic mate!ial (and perhaps lignins, if present) in the outermost layer or layers of the seed structure. When hydrogen peroxide is used in conjunction with the alkaline agent, the ~lk~linity of the treatment solution need not be as high as that of 50 wt-% sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and can be more moderate, e.g.
at pH of 13 or less. Severe treatments that excessively degrade the seed coat are preferably avoided. It is not essential that the treated seed be dried, but a moisture content of about 1% to 20% is preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, the feedstuff is treated so that less than 30~o and preferably less than 20% by weight of the fat in the feedstuff is released in 5 the rumen of a rllmin;~nt, and so that more than 50%, and preferably more than60%, by weight of the fat in the feedstuff is released and digested further on in the digestive tract of the mmin~nt, in a substantially non-fermenting digestive organ, particularly in the abomasum and small intestine.

INDUSTRlAL APPLlCABILllY
The treated canola seed may be used in the form in which it is recovered from the process. It can be added to the regular diet of rllmin~nt~ as an energyand protein supplement.
A typical rllmin~nt feed contains, in addition to a minor amount of 15 treated canola seed, conventional ingredients such as: silage; crop by-products and fibrous plant matter or roughage or forage (hay, alfalfa, clover, etc.); whole and ground feed grains; conventional nitrogen sources and protein precursors (fish meal, nitrogen compounds or the like); high energy sources and taste-improving agents such as molasses; by-products from the vegetable or drying oil 20 industry (e.g. cottonseed, linseed, or canola meal); and vitamin/mineral supplements. The major component of a fully formulated cattle feed can be silage or a rough or coarse feed or a whole and ground feed, grain.
Treated seed is preferably added directly or as part of a concentrate that constitutes a minor amount of the fully formulated cattle feed. The major 25 amount of the concentrate preferably comprises whole feed grains, ground up feed grains, and the like. Treated canola seed need not constitute more than about 30% by weight of the daily ration, and can constitute as little as 1% by weight of the ration.
The feedstuffs can be fed throughout much of the life cycle of the ~nim~l 30 In the case of dairy cows, these feedstuffs can be used throughout the adult life of the cattle. These feedstuffs are particularly advantageous during lactation whenthe energy requirements of the cattle are greatest. Digestion of cellulosic materials and fermentation processes in the rumen are not substantially inhibited and can proceed normally while the mmin~nts are fed with a feedstuff of this 35 invention.

212137~

The advantageous properties of the invention can be observed by reference to the following examples which illustrate, but do not limit, the invention.

A sample of 100 g of dried whole canola seed was placed in a 2 L flask;
the flask was substantially surrounded by a temperature-controlled heating jacket. The heating jacket was heated to 70~ C. A mixture of 20 g of water and 14 g of 50% by weight solution of aqueous sodium hydroxide was added. The resultant admixture was stirred for 5 min. Then 20 g of water and 2 g of 50~o byweight solution of aqueous hydrogen peroxide were added, and the mixture stirred for 10 min. A small sample was placed in a beaker, and an equal volume of distilled water added. The solution was mixed, and the pH measured. The resulting pH varied within the range of 11 to 13 depending on the amount of chemicals added per treatment. The final product had a black or dark red color and swollen seed coat with fissures apparent under an electron microscope. The seeds were dried to 12% moisture.

EX~MPLE 2 A 20 L mixer equipped with a heat jacket was loaded with 2.154 Kg of canola seeds. The mixer was then turned on. The heat jacket was then activated and allowed to achieve a temperature of about 10~C lower than desired. At this point the heat steadily climbed to the desired temperature and stabilized. When the desired temperature was achieved, the chemicals were added. Caustic was added first as 0.28 Kg of a 50~ by weight aqueous solution to 0.4 Kg of water.
This solution was then added to a pressure pot and then sprayed in two additionsonto the canola seeds over a period of about 20 sec per addition. The admixture was allowed to mix for 5 min. When used as reported in the table, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide, as a 30~o by weight solution, was added at this step. Then 0.06 Kg was added to 0.4 Kg of water. If not, then just 0.4 Kg of water was added. In either case it took two additions of the solution at about 20 sec per addition to spray all of it onto the canola seeds. The admixture was then mixed for 10 min. The final product contained about 34~o by weight moisture. The seeds were dried to 12~o moisture.

2l2l378 Samples obtained by the procedure described in Example 1 above were tested by the following procedure. Three ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were fed 35% alfalfa silage, 60% whole crop oat silage and 5% concentrate on a 5 dry matter basis. The cows were fed 25 Kg/day on an as-fed basis. The composition of the concentrate on an as-fed basis was: 71.3~o rolled barley, 8.7%
ground corn, 5.9% canola meal, 5.6% wheat shorts, 4.1% fish meal, 3.4% liquid molasses and 1% minerals and vitamins. The cows were permitted a 14 day adaptation period to the diet.
The nylon bag technique, described by de Boer, Ca~ J. Anim. Sci. 67, 102 (1987), was used to estimate both rumen degradability and intestinal digestion of crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM). The bags were ap~)roxim~tely 5.5 x 3.5 cm. Bags containing 1 g of test sample were incubated in the rumen for 8 hr.
One bag from the 8 hr incubation time was then inserted into the small intestine15 through a duodenal cannula to estimate intestinal digestibility. Washed bags were dried at 60~C for 24 hr and then dried at 105~C in a forced air oven for another 24 hr. After DM determination, the bags plus contents were digested for Kjeldahl nitrogen determination and ether extract. Percent disappearance of DM, CP and fat at the 8 hr incubation was calculated from the proportion 20 rem~ining after 8 hr incubation in the rumen. The disappearance rate was determined using the Orskov and McDonald equation [J. Agric Sci. ~Camb.] 92, 499 (1979)]-The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with various combinations ofsodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and temperature. The effects of these 25 processing variables on disappearance from the rllmin~nt digestive system are shown in Table 1.
In general, it was observed that an increase in temperature, with other variables constant, will increase disappearance of DM, CP, and fat in the rumen.High levels of caustic and temperature will produce a seed coat that is 30 overtreated and unable to m:~int~in its integrity in the rumen so that an undesirable amount of fat is released. Addition of peroxide to treated seed aidsin the breakdown of the seed coat but has generally been used to increase palatability. Example 17 was the most successful treatment combining temperature and sodium hydroxide to maintain limited release of DM, CP, and 35 fat in the rumen while achieving a substantial release of all three in the small intestine.

~121378 EFFECT OF PROCESSING VARIABLES ON DISAPPEARAI~CE
FRC~M THE RUMINAN'r Dl(i~ V~; SYSTEM
TRU~ errr VISAPPEi~IL~NC~ (%) NaOH H~O~ Temp RUM~rrE~5llN, Wl OL~TR AT
~X # (%) (~o) (C) DM CP ~AT VM CP FAT r)M CP ~AT
3 - - - 3.42 2.100.0 11.98 17522.92 15.40 19.62 2.92 4 - - 70 3.90 259 0.0 11.40 14.285.13 15.30 16.87 5.13 1 70 23.97 15.80 27.97 17.3521.06 17.64 41.32 36.86 27.97 6 6 - 60 2251 16.15 26.21 13.3918.1S 18.47 35.90 34.30 26.21 7 6 - 70 29.60 24.25 12.14 33.6249.80 3655 63.~ 74.05 48.69 8 6 - 80 43.31 37.40 27.15 23.1130.39 36.09 66.42 67.79 63.24 9 6 1 45 lB52 12.68 2.62 5.8310.09 7.14 24.35 22.77 9.76 6 1 60 25.32 17.30 - 20.7027.79 - 46.02 45.09 11 6 1 70 31.19 28.49 2.19 24.86 32.36 39.. 97 56.05 60.85 42.16 12 6 1 80 43.24 37.26 24.38 315941.70 44.92 74.83 78.96 69.30 13 6 2 60 25.85 25.21 21.09 135811.90 15.07 39.43 37.11 36.16 14 6 2 70 40.43 36.44 16.31 31.0239.24 51.14 71.45 75.68 67.45 6 2 80 53.62 52.61 33.01 25.0833.68 3353 78.70 86.29 6654 16 6.5 1 70 48.82 48.48 3254 31.8534.71 53.28 80.67 83.19 85.82 17 7 - 60 31.75 26.26 11.31 35.2743.58 71.43 67.02 69.84 82.74 18 7 - 70 44.33 46.94 26.42 28.1334.61 41.96 72.46 8155 68.38 19 7 1 45 2750 2353659 26.87 34.0940.86 54.37 57.62 47.457 1 60 43.07 35.06 30.70 31.9845.08 44.02 75.05 80.14 74.72 21 7 2 45 25.34 13.65 7.64 18.193257 22.23 4353 46.22 29.87 22 7 2 60 37.59 29.31 17.92 32.3752.60 52.95 69.96 81.91 70.87 23 7 2 70 52.74 45.98 36.70 26.1540.57 35.30 78.89 8655 72.00 s *Values for intestin~l data are differences between ruminal and whole tract digestibilities. Sorted based on treatment.
EXAlVlPLES 24-32 A 140 L mixer equipped with a jacket was loaded with 34.09 Kg of canola seeds. The mixer was then turned on with the ploughs at approximately 60 RPM.
Caustic was added using a pressure pot and a spray nozzle. Addition time was about 2.5 min. Water was then added to rinse the line; addition time was about 1min. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide was then added with an addition time of 15 about 1.5 min. Cooling water to the mixer jacket was turned on during the chemical addition to maintain a final temperature of 58-62~ C. The cooling waterwas then turned off when the seed temperature reached approximately 6Z C and the seeds were mixed for an additional 15 min before being discharged. The temperature of the seeds dropped to around 58~C during this 15 min period.
20 The final product contained about 16~ moisture.

Two Angus x Simmental crossbred steers (average weight ca. 400 Kg) fitted with 10.2 cm (i.d.) c~nn~ were fed orchardgrass hay (ad libitum) supplemented with 1 Kg/day of a 165'o crude protein corn-soybean meal concentrate. Steers were housed in a temperature controlled room at 22 Cwith 5 continuous lighting. Steers were adapted to the diet for 14 day.
Dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and ether extract (EE) degradability of test samples in the rumen were determined by the in situ method [Nocek, J. DairySci. 71, 2051 (1988)]. Polyester bags (7 x 13 cm: pore size 50 ~lm), each containing 2 g of test sample, were tied securely with nylon string. Triplicates of 10 each test sample were incubated in the rumen of each steer for 8 hr. The bagswere placed in a nylon-mesh garment bag along with a 1 Kg weight to secure bags in the ventral sac of the rumen. Empty polyester bags (blanks) were included with feed samples. Bags were washed until the wash water was clear.
Bags were then dried for 24 hr (100~C), allowed to air equilibrate, and then 15 weighed for DM determination. Kjeldahl N was determined by digestion of incubated bags and residue in concentrated sulfuric acid. Ether extract was determined on incubated bags and residue refluxed with ether in a Soxhlet extractor for 24 hr. Disappearance of DM, N, and EE was calculated from the proportion of the original sample rem~ining after 8 hr incubation in the rumen.
20 Results are given in Table 2.

~121378 EFFECT OF PROCESSING VARIABLES
ON DISAPPEARANCE FROM THE RUMEN
s TREATMENT (o) RUMEN DISAPPEARANCE
F---mlle # NaOH H2~2 Temp DM CP FAT
(~o) (%) (C) (~o) (~o) (~o) 24 - - - 43.31 55.68 35.54 7 1 60 45.39 40.52 45.58 26 6 1 60 36.84 32.38 37.62 27 5.5 1 60 32.01 26.47 9.85 28 5.35 1 60 29.27 22.40 10.65 29 5.25 1 60 29.72 23.39 13.03 5.15 1 60 26.41 18.82 8.72 31 5 1 60 20.88 11.13 8.28 32 - - - 0.08 -8.96 4.68 (~) Example 24 was conducted on untreated ground seed.
Example 25-31 were conducted on whole seed.
Example 32 was conducted on untreated whole seed.
The data show that rumen disappearance of DM, CP, and fat increased linearly with increasing concentrations of sodium hydroxide due to an increase in seed coat degradation.

Having described the invention, we now claim the following and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for modifying canola seeds for use in ruminant feed comprising treating substantially intact canola seeds at a temperature of 30-90°C
with an aqueous alkaline solution containing 1-20% by weight, based on the dry weight of the seeds, of alkaline agent, the solution having a pH of 10-14.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the aqueous alkaline solution comprises sodium hydroxide.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the aqueous alkaline solution temperature is 50-80°C, the amount of alkaline solution added contains 5-10%
by weight of the alkaline agent, based on the dry weight of the whole or intact seeds, and medium has a pH 10.5-13.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3 in which the aqueous alkaline solution additionally comprises 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of hydrogen peroxide, based on the weight of the seeds.

5. A ruminant feed composition comprising an admixture of 1-30% by weight of modified canola seeds with conventional ruminant feedstuffs containing digestible fiber cellulosic material and a source of protein and grain, the canola seeds modified by a process comprising treating substantially intact canola seeds at a temperature of 30-90°C with an aqueous alkaline solution containing 1-20% by weight, based on the dry weight of the seeds, of alkaline agent, the solution having a pH of 10-14.

6. The feed composition of claim 5 in which the aqueous alkaline solution temperature is 50-80°C, the amount of alkaline solution added contains 5-10%
by weight of the alkaline agent, based on the dry weight of the whole or intact seeds, and medium has a pH 10.5-13.

7. The feed composition of claims 5 or 6 in which the aqueous alkaline solution additionally comprises 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of hydrogen peroxide, based on the weight of the seeds.

8. A method for feeding triglycerides, fatty acids and protein to a ruminant without substantially inhibiting digestive processes in the rumen, the method comprising feeding substantially intact canola seeds, the canola seeds modified by a process comprising treating substantially intact canola seeds at a temperature of 30-90°C with an aqueous alkaline solution containing 1-20% by weight, based on the dry weight of the seeds, of alkaline agent, the solution having a pH of 10-14.

9. The method of claim 8 in which the aqueous alkaline solution temperature is 50-80°C, the amount of alkaline solution added contains 5-10%
by weight of the alkaline agent, based on the dry weight of the whole or intact seeds, and medium has a pH 10.5-13.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9 in which the aqueous alkaline solution additionally comprises 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of hydrogen peroxide, based on the weight of the seeds.