Hemicellulose - Feed Ingredient

Hemicellulose is a group of plant cell wall carbohydrates. It is a component of forage and fibrous feed ingredients such as hay, beet pulp, hulls, and other roughages. It contributes to the dietary fiber fraction, supporting hindgut fermentation and microbial activity in horses, which are hindgut fermenters.

Hemicellulose is partially fermentable by the microbial population in the cecum and colon, leading to the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which serve as an energy source for horses. It is less digestible than pectin but more fermentable than lignin, and its digestibility varies based on plant type and maturity.