Characteristics of In Vitro Fermentation and Nutrient Digestibility of Ration Supplemented with Different Level of Soybean Oil Calcium Soap

Abstract

The in vitro experiment was aimed to evaluate the effect of soybean oil calcium soap (CaS-soybean) supplementation in ration on fermentability characteristics, microbial population and nutrient digestibility by using rumen fluid of Bali cattle. The experiment was arranged in a completelyrandomized block design with 4 different ration treatments with 3 replicates. The ration treatments were R1: 40% native grass (NG) + 60% concentrate (C), R2 (40% NG + 60% C containing 2.5% CaS-soybean), R3: (40% NG + 60% C containing 5.0% CaS-soybean) and R4 (40% NG + 60% C containing 7.5% CaS-soybean). The measured variables were pH, NH3-N, total volatile fatty acids, total bacteria and protozoa (microbial populations), dry matter and, and organic matter digestibility. The datawere analyzed by using Analysis of Variance and the differences between treatments were examined with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The experimental results showed that the different feed treatments did not have any significant effect on pH, ammonia (NH3-N) concentration, total bacteria, protozoa population, dry matter, and organic matter digestibility. However, the treatments significantly affect the total volatile fatty acids (VFA) production. Ration with 7.5% CaS-soybean (R4) had the highest VFA concentration compared to R1 (Control), R2 (control ration + 2.5% CaS-soybean and R3 (control ration contains 5% CaS-soybean).Feed treatment supplemented with 5.0% CaS-soybean (R3) had a higher total VFA concentrationcompare to control rations (R0). In conclusion, supplementation of the different levels of CaS-soybean within concentrate created thenormal of in vitro fermentation characteristics and the total production of VFA.