Effect of urea in steamed sago waste on rumen fermentation parameters in vitro tested

Abstract

This study aims to determine urea’s effect in steamed sago waste on rumen fermentation parameters in vitro testing. Sago waste was dried for two days, discarded fibre sticks, steamed for 30 minutes, cooled and dried. Weighed 250 g of steamed sago waste, added urea with levels of 0%, 2%, 4% and 6%. Weighed 0.5 g of samples per treatments, inserted in fermentor tubes, added 10 ml buffer and 10 ml of rumen fluid (1:1). Fermentor tubes are inserted in waterbath with a temperature of 39°C, flowed with CO2 gas and covered with a valved rubber cover. For NH3 and VFA testing, incubation was carried out for 4 hours, while for DMD and OMD testing, incubation was carried out for 48 hours. The data obtained were analyzed using a completely random design with four urea level treatments (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%), with five replications. The results showed that increase of urea level up to 6%, increasing (P<0.01) NH3. The increase of urea level 2%, increasing (P<0.01) VFA, DMD and OMD. The increase of urea levels 4% and 6%, not significant effect on DMD and OMD, while at urea level 6%, decreasing (P<0.01) VFA. It can be concluded that urea was added in steamed sago waste, have an optimal effect on the rumen fermentation parameters at level 2–4%.