Urea-nitrate coating with zeolite reduces in vitro ammonia concentration in the rumen

Abstract

Abstract The current research aimed to investigate the effects of urea-nitrate coated with zeolite on in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. Two types of zeolite, namely activated and unactivated, were utilized in the study. A randomized complete block design comprised of five treatments and four replications was conducted. The treatments were: T0 (control diet), T1 (control diet + uncoated urea), T2 (control diet + uncoated urea-nitrate), T3 (control diet + urea-nitrate with unactivated zeolite coating), and T4 (urea-nitrate with activated zeolite coating). The supplementation of urea-nitrate with zeolite coating aimed to increase dietary crude protein by 2% compared to the control diet. Results indicated that the T4 treatment reduced in vitro ruminal ammonia concentration compared to T0, T1, T2, and T3 (P<0.05). However, other rumen fermentation parameters, such as rumen pH, volatile fatty acid concentration, microbial protein synthesis, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, total gas production, and methane production, were similar among the treatments. In conclusion, urea-nitrate supplementation with activated zeolite coating in the ruminant diet was effective in reducing in vitro ruminal ammonia concentration.