The Use of Urea and Palmyra Sap (Borassus flabellifer) on the Characteristics and Nutrient Composition of Fermented Rice Bran

Abstract
| Rice bran is a viable feedstuff, but its use in non-ruminant feed is limited due to its high crude fiber content of 14-16%. One of the methods to reduce crude fiber is through anaerobic fermentation, which requires carbon from soluble carbohydrates such as palmyra sap and nitrogen from Non-Protein Nitrogen such as urea. This experiment aimed to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and nutrient content of rice bran fermented anaerobically for six days. This experiment used a Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and four replications. The treatments included rice bran without palmyra sap and urea (T0), rice bran with 2% urea (T1), rice bran with 10% palmyra sap (T2), and rice bran with 2% urea and 10% palmyra sap (T3). Urea was added at 2% of the rice bran weight, while palmyra sap was added at 10% of the dry matter of rice bran. Fermentation characteristics were measured by pH, NH3, and lactic acid levels, while nutrient content was measured by dry matter, crude protein content, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, NDF, ADF, and lignin. The data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that addition of urea, palmyra sap and their mixture had a significant effect (P<0,05) on the value of pH, NH3 and lactic acid. Treatment T2 had the lowest values of pH and NH3 but had highest lactic acid. Additionally, the use of urea, palmyra sap and their mixture had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the value of dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber content of rice bran. Treatment T3 had the lowest dry matter and crude fiber content, but the highest crude protein content. The use of urea, palmyra sap and their mixture had a significant effect (P<0.05) on NDF, ADF and lignin. Treatment T3 resulted in the lowest content of NDF and ADF. In conclusion, the usage of 10% palmyra sap (T2) resulted in the lowest pH but the highest lactic acid production, while 2% urea and 10% palmyra sap (T3) had the highest crude protein and decreased the value of crude fiber, NDF and lignin of rice bran.