Amines, aldehydes and keto‐acids in silages and their effect on food intake by ruminants

Abstract

Abstract Silages from different sources were arranged into two groups according to their palatability for cattle, and assayed for their amine, aldehyde and keto‐acid content. A correlation between tryptamine content and palatability was established. None of the assayed amines per se was found to have a direct influence upon appetite, although histamine enhanced the appetite‐depressing action of formaldehyde. Only formaldehyde, but not acetaldehyde or butyraldehyde, was found to exert a strong influence upon the appetite of ruminants.