Open AccessIn vitro fermentation and chemical constituents of urea-molasses feed - blocks made with different binders for ruminants.
Author(s) -
O. A. Isah
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v39i2.760
Subject(s) - urea , fermentation , chemistry , dry matter , lactic acid , starch , oleic acid , food science , fatty acid , organic matter , zoology , biochemistry , biology , bacteria , organic chemistry , genetics
This study was carried out to assess the chemical contents, in vitro break down, volatile fatty acids, NH3¬-N and methane concentration of urea- molasses feed - block (UMFB) using different binders. Four feed - blocks were formulated as: UMFB A (Cement only), UMFB B (cement + clay), UMFB C (cement + cassava starch), and UMFB D (cassava starch + clay). The feed - blocks were incubated in vitro for 48 hours to assess gas production and other in vitro- ecology parameters. Results of chemical analysis revealed that UMFB C (21.70%), and B (21.65%) had highest (p 0.05) was not observed in the pH and methane values for various UMFB. Highest in vitro digestibility of organic matter was observed in UMFB D. The study showed that the various feed - blocks could serve as a sustainable supplement during dry season and period of scarcity for the ruminants.