Marine vegetation in multinutritional blocks for ruminants

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect on nutritional value and hardness due to inclusion in multinutritional blocks (MB) of marine vegetation, molasses, urea and calcium hydroxide (CaOH). Marine vegetation was gathered at the coast of Yucatán. This material was rinsed with fresh water and sun dehydrated. MBs were manufactured including 9.5 % of marine vegetation, plus soybean hulls meal, ground corn, molasses, calcium orthophosphate, salt, vegetable oil and a mixture of minerals and vitamins, calcium hydroxide was added as agglutinant. A factorial 3*2*3 experimental design with three replicates was used, where molasses 35.0, 37.5 and 40.0 %, urea 6 and 9 % and CaOH 5, 7 and 9 % were factors and levels. Hardness (kg maximum pressure) of BMs was measured using a 4411 Universal Testing Machine (Instron). Results were analyzed through the least square method, including effects of the already mentioned factors and their interactions. Results showed that marine vegetation boasts high protein and mineral contents. When either molasses content is more than 35 % or CaOH more than 5 %, MBs hardness decreases (P<0.01). The same is true for urea content of more than 6 % (P<0.05). As a conclusion, it can be acknowledged that marine vegetation can be used as a protein and mineral source for manufacturing MBs, obtaining materials showing adequate hardness.