Preparation of rumen protected fat and its effect on nutrient utilization in buffaloes

Experiments were chalked out to prepare protected fat (PF) i.e. calcium salts of long chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) in bulk and to find out its effect of supplementation on nutrient utilization in buffaloes on high wheat straw based diets. The PF was prepared by treating rice bran oil (RBO) with technical grade calcium hydroxide under specific conditions. The mean values (%) of the yield, fat, DM undegradability (DMUD) and Ca of the PF were 88.1, 71.1, 85.6 and 7.8, respectively. Adult male buffaloes (16; 421.4±10.4 kg BW) divided into four equal groups were offered conventional concentrate mixture (CM) or CM supplemented with 100, 200 or 300g PF along with wheat straw in roughage: concentrate ratio of 80:20 for 30 days. There was no difference in the digestibilities of nutrients except EE, which was improved (P<0.05) in PF₂₀₀ and PF₃₀₀ diets as compared to PF₀ and PF₁₀₀; while hemicellulose was improved in PF₁₀₀ and PF₂₀₀ over that of PF₃₀₀. The supplementation of PF did not effect (P>0.05) the nitrogen balance and nutritive value. All the animals were in positive Ca and P balances. It was concluded that PF did not have any effect when supplemented at 100g but showed improved EE digestibility at 200–300 g in high wheat straw based diets.