Effects of slow-release ammonium sulfate as non-protein nitrogen sources on rumen fermentation characteristics: An in vitro study https://doi.org/10.12982/VIS.2026.036
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Abstract
This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) as slow-release agent for ammonium sulfate in non-protein nitrogen supplementation on ruminal fermentation characteristics under in vitro method. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with four treatments and six replications: ZA (100% ammonium sulfate); ZA-Corn (29.26% ammonium sulfate and 70.74% corn meal); ZA+Lime-Corn (a mixture of 60% ammonium sulfate and calcium hydroxide, and 40% corn meal); and Pangola grass as standard. The variables observed included total gas production, methane (CH₄) production, ammonia (NH3) concentration, protozoa population, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and in vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD) degradability. Results presented that the inclusion of Ca(OH)₂ as a binding agent for slow-release ammonium sulfate significantly reduced (P<0.05) total gas production compared to ammonium sulfate and corn meal combination, which showed the highest gas production. There were no differences (P>0.05) in fermenter pH across treatments. However, the inclusion of Ca(OH)₂ decreased cumulative gas production, NH₃ concentration, MPS, IVDMD, IVOMD and protozoa populations (P < 0.05). Conversely, the ZA-Corn treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) cumulative gas production, MPS, CH₄ production, IVDMD, and IVOMD. The ZA treatment increased (P < 0.05) NH₃, IVDMD, and IVOMD. These findings suggest that the inclusion of Ca(OH)₂ slows the ruminal nitrogen release and prevents excessive NH₃ accumulation, though it can slightly suppress microbial synthesis and digestibility
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