Eighteen types of urea molasses mineral mixture blocks (UMMB) were prepared using three binders viz. CaO, MgO and CaS04• each at 6, 8 and 10 per cent levels with two levels of phosphoric acid i.e. 1 and 2 per cent and their hardness, in sacco digestibility, in vitro Nl\-N production and microbial protein synthesis were studied. The hardness was highest in blocks having CaO as binder and increased with its increasing level. The level of phosphoric acid had no effect on hardness of blocks. The level and type of binder had no significant effect on in sacco DM digestibility and in vitro microbial protein synthesis. Higher level (2%) of phosphoric acid, however, had depressing effect. There was no significant effect of type and level of binders andofphosphoric acid on invitro ~-N production and microbial protein synthesis. It was concluded that CaO is the best binder in comparison to MgO and gypsum.
Urea molasses mineral blocks, Binders, Hardness, in sacco digestibility, in vitro NIl, -N production, Microbial protein synthesis
