AFEX
treatment of crop residues can greatly increase their nutrient
availability for ruminants. This study investigated the concentration
of acetamide, an ammoniation byproduct, in AFEX-treated crop residues
and in milk and meat from ruminants fed these residues. Acetamide
concentrations in four AFEX-treated cereal crop residues were comparable
and reproducible (4–7 mg/g dry matter). A transient acetamide
peak in milk was detected following introduction of AFEX-treated residues
to the diet, but an alternative regimen showed the peak can be effectively
mitigated. Milk acetamide concentration following this transition
was 6 and 10 ppm for cattle and buffalo, respectively, but also decreased
over time for cattle while tending to decrease (p = 0.08) for buffalo. There was no difference in acetamide concentration
in the meat of cattle consuming AFEX-treated residues for 160 days
compared to controls. Further investigation is necessary to determine
the metabolism of acetamide in ruminants and a maximum acceptable
daily intake for humans.