Abstract
The objective of the present experiment was to study the effect of flaxseed processing on nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy (TME~n~) values for adult roosters. Flaxseed was processed as pelleted, autoclaved or microwave roasted. Leghorn roosters were used for the TME determination procedure. The TME~n~ value of flaxseed batch A, 14.48 MJ kg^β1^ DM, was significantly (P < 0.05) increased to 17.89 MJ kg^β1^ DM by threeβtime repeatβpelleting, or to 18.07 MJ kg^β1^ dry matter (DM) by autoclaving, respectively. Microwave roasting also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the TME~n~ value of flaxseed batch B by 22%. The TME~n~ improvement observed due to processing was accompanied by increased ether extract utilization. The apparent ether extract digestibility of flaxseed batch A, 61.2%, was very significantly (P < 0.01) increased to 81.5 and 83.2% by processing as repeatβpelleting and autoclaving, respectively. Microwave roasting also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the apparent digestibility of ether extract for flaxseed batch B from 49.1 to 64.4%. Proper flaxseed processing as pelleting, autoclaving and microwave roasting led to higher TME~n~ values for Leghorn roosters, mainly as the result of increased ether extract utilization. Copyright Β© 2004 Society of Chemical Industry