The Addition Effect of Fermented Aegle marmelos Fruit and Bamboo Shoots in Cattle Feces Slurry to the Reduction of Ammonia Gas Emission

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of fermented Aegle marmelos and bamboo shoots in reducing ammonia gas emission from cattle feces slurry. Aegle marmelos, bamboo shoots, molasses, and water were fermented for 10 days in anaerobic condition. The fermentation product was then investigated for chemical properties, sensory aspects, microbial content as well as the growth on the solid and liquid medium by measuring the optical density (OD_600nm), and the concentration of ammonia gas emission. The study was performed by addition at different level 0% (control), 1%, 3%, and 5% of fermentation product and 1% of commercial starter EM-4 into cattle feces slurry to observe the ability of ammonia gas emission reduction. The data of fermentation product such as physical and chemical properties, sensory, and the growth of microbes from fermentation product on the solid and liquid medium, the optical density (OD_600nm), and microbial growth after the treatment were descriptively analyzed. Ammonia gas concentration was analyzed with factorial completely randomized design patterns (5 × 4) when it showed significant differences followed by Duncan’s new multiple range test (DMRT). The results of the study showed that the fermentation product has pH 3.05, temperature 26 °C, color brown to black, and fresh scent and is slightly sour and fragrant. Microbial fermentation observation results showed that it could be grown on a solid and liquid medium. The addition of fermentation product has significantly decreased (p < 0.01) the ammonia gas emission.