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The study assessed the impacts of aquatic plant silages on feeding efficiency and dairy cattle health as an alternative to conventional corn silage under high altitude conditions. Mid-lactation Holstein cows were assigned to treatment groups according to a randomized complete block design of parity, previous 105-d milk yield, and body weight. Cows (n = 8 per group) were fed with aquatic plant silage inoculated with Bacillus subtilis (BS), Yeast (YS), or conventional corn silage without inoculants (control) in addition to [standard grain feed] for 75 consecutive days. BS and YS had higher protein contents than control silage (111.20 ± 7.68, 112.10 ± 6.83 vs 76.94 ± 3.48 g/kg DM), while feeding efficiency was comparable between treatments (1.07, 0.99, and 0.90, respectively). In addition, the addition of aquatic plant silage in ruminant diets enhanced immunity and antioxidant capacity when compared with control group. Metagenomic analysis showed similar composition in rumen microbiota between YS and control groups, with higher enrichment for energy and nitrogen utilization pathways in YS-treated cows. This study highlights the use of aquatic plant silage as an alternative feed for dairy cattle with higher protein than corn silage. Our results suggest YS or BS could potentially boost immune and antioxidant functions, improving adaptation to high-altitudes and reducing demand for high input corn production on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a kind of roughage frequently utilized as an animal feed but challenging to be ensiled due to its low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), high water content, and elevated buffering capacity, thus requiring the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to improve its fermentation. This study employed high-throughput metagenomic sequence technology to reveal the effects of homofermentative LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp), or Pediococcus pentosaceus (Pp), and heterofermentative LAB, L. buchneri (Lb), or their combinations (LbLp or LbPp) (applied at 1.0 × 109 colony forming units (cfu) per kilogram of alfalfa biomass fresh material) on the fermentation, microbial community, and functional profiles of alfalfa silage after 7, 14, 30, and 60 ensiling days. The results indicated a reduction (P < 0.05) in glucose and pH and higher (P < 0.05) beneficial organic acid contents, xylose, crude protein, ammonia nitrogen, and aerobic stability in Lb-, LbPp-, and LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 and 60 d. Also, higher (P < 0.05) WSC contents were recorded in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages after 30 d (10.84 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and 60 d (10.92 g/kg DM). Besides, LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages recorded higher (P < 0.05) LAB count (9.92 log10 cfu/g) after 60 d. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the combined LAB inoculants in LbLp-inoculated alfalfa silages and dominant LAB genera, Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, with fermentation properties after 30 and 60 d. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional analyses further showed that the L. buchneri PC-C1 and L. plantarum YC1-1-4B combination improved carbohydrate metabolism and facilitated further degradation of polysaccharides in alfalfa after 60 d of ensiling. These findings reveal the significant performance of L. buchneri and L. plantarum in combination with dominant LAB species in suppressing the growth of Clostridia, molds, and yeasts and improving the fermentation characteristics and functional carbohydrate metabolism of alfalfa after 60 d ensiling, thus suggesting the need for further studies to uncover the diverse performance of the LAB combination and their consortium with other natural and artificial inoculants in various kinds of silages., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

To investigate the effects of wilting and lactic acid bacterial inoculants on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of Moringa oleifera leaf silage, fresh and wilted M. oleifera leaves were ensiled with or without Lactobacillus farciminis LF or Lactococcus lactis LL for 1, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. The results showed that wilting, inoculants, and their interaction exerted significant ( P <  0.05) effects on the fermentation characteristics covering dry matter loss, pH value, lactic acid bacterial number, the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid, and the relative abundances of bacteria, like for species of Lactobacillus , Lactococcus , Pediococcus , Enterococcus , Leuconostoc , and Enterobacter Both LF and LL improved the fermentation quality of wilted and unwilted M. oleifera leaf silage by accelerating lactic acid production and pH decline, decreasing dry matter loss, and inhibiting yeast and coliform bacterial growth through the whole fermentation process. During ensiling, the abundances of Lactococcus , Enterococcus, and Leuconostoc spp. increased from day 1 to day 7 and then declined sharply from day 7 to day 14. Members of these genera and Enterobacter were inhibited, whereas Lactobacillus spp. were enhanced by these two lactic acid bacterial inoculants. The relative abundances of Enterobacter , Enterococcus, and Pediococcus spp. in inoculated silages were relatively low during the whole ensiling process. A lower abundance of Enterobacter spp. was observed in wilted silages than in unwilted silages. In summary, wilting and lactic acid bacterial inoculants had an influence on bacterial community and the fermentation process; LF and LL improved the fermentation quality of wilted and unwilted M. oleifera leaf silage. IMPORTANCE leaf is a high-quality feed source for livestock and is increasingly used all over the world. Ensiling might be an effective method for preservation of the leaves. In the practice of silage making, lactic acid bacterial inoculants and wilting are commonly used to improve nutrition preservation. Monitoring the changes in a bacterial community during fermentation gives an insight into understanding and improving the ensiling process. Our results suggest that wilting and lactic acid bacterial inoculants had an influence on the bacterial community and fermentation process of Moringa oleifera leaf silage. Wilting showed positive effects on silage fermentation by decreasing the abundance of M. oleifera leaf silage. Wilting showed positive effects on silage fermentation by decreasing the abundance of Enterobacter spp., while LF and LL improved the fermentation quality by inhibiting Enterobacter spp. and enhancing Lactobacillus spp. Both LF and LL accelerated the ensiling process from cocci (like Lactococcus , Enterococcus, and Leuconostoc spp.) to lactobacilli., (Copyright © 2019 Wang et al.)

The effect of adding molasses (0, UM or 50 g/kg on DM basis, M) and two types of inoculant including homofermentative (HO) and a combination of homofermentative and propionate-producing bacterial (HOPAB) inoculants on silage fermentation quality, nitrogen fractionation and aerobic stability of pre-bloom, wilted alfalfa (AS) was determined in laboratory silos. The HOPAB inoculant was more effective than HO in reducing the alfalfa silage pH but increased propionate content in the absence of M (p < 0.05). Inoculation of HOPAB reduced (p < 0.01) acid detergent fibre (ADF) and increased (p < 0.01) lactate to acetate ratio compared with uninoculated AS. Acetate concentration was lower (p < 0.01) in HOPAB-inoculated than other AS. This difference was more pronounced in M-added AS (inoculants × M interaction, p = 0.01). Both inoculants reduced (p < 0.01) ammonia-N content in AS added with M, whereas only HOPAB decreased (p < 0.01) ammonia-N concentration in silage without M. Inoculants increased (p < 0.01) B2 fraction in AS with M addition but had no effect on AS without M. Treating silages with HO-UM increased (p < 0.05) C fraction (acid-detergent insoluble-N) but HOPAB decreased C fraction at two levels of M. Treating alfalfa crop with M and HOPAB improved aerobic stability by increasing the concentration of acetate and propionate of AS respectively. Adding M tended (p < 0.10) to increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and cumulative gas production (CGP). HOPAB alone increased DM disappearance at 24 h post-incubation and effective degradability assuming outflow rate of 8%/h relative to untreated AS (p < 0.05). It was concluded that adding M had no pronounced effects on AS fermentation quality, but increased aerobic stability. HOPAB-inoculated AS with no addition of M improved fermentation quality and increased DM degradability compared with HO., (Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum as silage additives and their combinations on the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott silage and assess fermentation characteristics, digestibility, and in vitro gas production. The experiment used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments are: T0= dwarf elephant grass silage + 3% molasses, T1= T0 + S. cerevisiae, T2= T0 + L. plantarum, and T3= T0 + S. cerevisiae + L. plantarum. Variables measured were organoleptic, physical, microbial, nutrient composition, in vitro fermentation characteristics and nutrient digestibility, as well as total gas and methane productions. The result showed that all silages had good physical quality, low pH (<3.8) and NH3 content, and high fleigh point. Inoculants decreased the percentage of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract (p<0.05), increased crude fiber, and decreased the composition of nitrogen-free extract and non-fiber carbohydrate (p<0.05) but it was able to increase Ca and P. Total gas production of T0 was the highest among treatments, while the T3 had the lowest total gas and methane productions (p<0.05). The supplementation of S. cerevisiae and L. plantarum as a silage improved organoleptic, physical, and microbiological qualities. Although the nutrient composition did not increase significantly, the combination of 2 (two) inoculants was able to improve fermentation activity in the rumen, increase total volatile fatty acid (VFA), dry matter and organic matter digestibility, reduce total gas production and the ratio of methane gas production to VFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum as silage additives and their combinations on the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott silage and assess fermentation characteristics, digestibility, and in vitro gas production. The experiment used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments are: T0= dwarf elephant grass silage + 3% molasses, T1= T0 + S. cerevisiae, T2= T0 + L. plantarum, and T3= T0 + S. cerevisiae + L. plantarum. Variables measured were organoleptic, physical, microbial, nutrient composition, in vitro fermentation characteristics and nutrient digestibility, as well as total gas and methane productions. The result showed that all silages had good physical quality, low pH (

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: With its high nutritional value and productivity, Italian ryegrass as a biomass feedstock constantly supplies rumen degradable nitrogen and digestible fiber to ruminants. However, biofuel production is easily reduced during ensiling due to the high-moisture content of Italian ryegrass, leading to economic losses. Lactic acid bacteria inoculants could improve lignocellulosic degradation and fermentation quality and decrease dry matter loss during the bioprocessing of silage. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of Lactobacillus buchneri TSy1-3 (HE), Lactobacillus rhamnosus BDy3-10 (HO), and the combination of HE and HO (M) on fermentation quality, bacterial community and metabolome in high-moisture Italian ryegrass silage during ensiling. Results: The results showed that the pH value was significantly lower in the HO groups than in the other treatments at the end of ensiling, and the dry matter and acetic acid contents were significantly higher in the HO group than in the other inoculated groups. All inoculants decreased the diversity of the bacterial community and significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Inoculation with HO significantly improved the concentrations of organic acids, dipeptides, ferulic acid, apigenin, and laricitrin. Compared with Lactobacillus buchneri TSy1-3 (HE), HO significantly upregulated the flavonoid compounds in the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathway. Conclusions: Overall, these findings suggest that inoculation with HO was beneficial for the development of Italian ryegrass as a biomass feedstock, improving fermentation quality, accelerating changes in bacterial community composition and increasing biofunctional metabolites in high-moisture Italian ryegrass silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Silage inoculants are commonly used as a tool to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage fed to dairy cows. However, their effectiveness can be inconsistent. Our objective was to determine the effect of the dry matter (DM) content of freshly chopped whole-plant corn on its microbial community as affected by an inoculant containing Lentilactobacillus hilgardii, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus on improving the aerobic stability of silage. Whole-plant corn was harvested at low (31.80%, LDM), medium (33.32%, MDM), or high (39.44%, HDM) DM content and treated with nothing (CTR) or an inoculant (INO) containing L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, P. pentosaceus NCIMB12455 at 100,000 cfu/g of fresh forage, β-glucanase (5,750 IU/g), and xylanase (30,000 IU/g) and ensiled for 20 and 60 d. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design in a 3-by-2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Fresh LDM forage had a higher concentration of reducing sugars, a less rich, diverse, and even bacterial community, and greater relative abundance of Saccharomycetales than MDM and HDM forages. Silages at 20 and 60 d, inoculated LDM had a more modest proliferation of culturable lactic acid bacteria than inoculated MDM. At 20 d, regardless of treatment, LDM had greater concentrations of lactic and acetic acids. Also at 20 d, LDM had lower numbers of culturable yeasts but greater relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae than MDM and HDM. For silage at 20 d, HDM silage was more aerobically stable than LDM and MDM and inoculation improved aerobic stability 1.8-fold compared with CTR. For silage at 60 d, there was an interaction between DM content and inoculation. The improvements in stability by inoculation, compared with CTR, were greater in MDM (261 vs. 41 h) and HDM (320 vs. 66 h) silages than in LDM (85 vs. 46 h). The lower DM content and possible slower pH decline in LDM might have facilitated the development of undesirable bacteria and coupled with its greater concentration of reducing sugars and lactic and acetic acids, which are substrates for aerobic microorganisms, might explain the more modest improvements in aerobic stability from inoculation in LDM compared with MDM and HDM. Our findings suggest that the DM content of whole-plant corn affected its epiphytic microbial community and the effectiveness of the inoculant, which improved aerobic stability at all DM but to a greater extent in HDM and MDM than in LDM, especially after 60 d of ensiling.

Abstract In a first study, the capacity of lactic bacteria to accumulate biomass in different culture media and temperatures was tested and the biosynthesis parameters were established. In the second study, the strains producing the highest quantity of biomass and determining the most rapid pH drop in culture medium were conditioned in solid supports. The obtained solid products containing lactic bacteria were used to inoculate different types of forages. Ensilage was carried out in laboratory silos made from O2-impermeable plastic flasks, vacuumed using a vacuum pump. The experiment was 2 x 2 factorial with two types of forage (alfalfa and sorghum), each of them inoculated and not inoculated with lactic bacteria. The evolution of lactic bacteria, pH value, and the concentration in volatile acids was verified. In the third experiment, lactic bacteria were used to inoculate silages in farm conditions. The obtained results recommend the tested strain for the improvement of preserving conditions and nutritive value in ensiled forages.

Aims: To characterize the fermentation process and bacterial diversity of sorghum silage inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LpAv, Pediococcus pentosaceus PpM and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LcAv. Methods and Results: Chopped sorghum was ensiled using the selected strains. Physicochemical parameters (Ammonia Nitrogen/Total Nitrogen, Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fibre, Neutral Detergent Fibre, Acid Detergent Lignin, Ether Extract and Ashes), bacterial counts, cell cytometry and 16sRNA sequencing were performed to characterize the ensiling process and an animal trial (BALB/c mice) was conducted in order to preliminary explore the potential of sorghum silage to promote animal gut health. After 30 days of ensiling, the genus Lactobacillus comprised 68.4 ± 2.3% and 73.5 ± 1.8% of relative abundance, in control and inoculated silages respectively. Richness (Chao1 index) in inoculated samples, but not in control silages, diminished along ensiling, suggesting the domination of fermentation by the inoculated LAB. A trend in conferring enhanced protection against Salmonella infection was observed in the mouse model used to explore the potential to promote gut health of sorghum silage. Conclusions: The LAB strains used in this study were able to dominate sorghum fermentation. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report using metaprofiling of 16sRNA to characterize sorghum silage, showing a microbiological insight where resident and inoculated LAB strains overwhelmed the epiphytic microbiota, inhibiting potential pathogens of the genus Klebsiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silage inoculants are commonly used as a tool to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage fed to dairy cows. However, their effectiveness can be inconsistent. Our objective was to determine the effect of the dry matter (DM) content of freshly chopped whole-plant corn on its microbial community as affected by an inoculant containing Lentilactobacillus hilgardii , Lentilactobacillus buchneri , and Pediococcus pentosaceus on improving the aerobic stability of silage. Whole-plant corn was harvested at low (31.80%, LDM), medium (33.32%, MDM), or high (39.44%, HDM) DM content and treated with nothing (CTR) or an inoculant (INO) containing L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, P. pentosaceus NCIMB12455 at 100,000 cfu/g of fresh forage, β-glucanase (5,750 IU/g), and xylanase (30,000 IU/g) and ensiled for 20 and 60 d. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design in a 3-by-2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Fresh LDM forage had a higher concentration of reducing sugars, a less rich, diverse, and even bacterial community, and greater relative abundance of Saccharomycetales than MDM and HDM forages. Silages at 20 and 60 d, inoculated LDM had a more modest proliferation of culturable lactic acid bacteria than inoculated MDM. At 20 d, regardless of treatment, LDM had greater concentrations of lactic and acetic acids. Also at 20 d, LDM had lower numbers of culturable yeasts but greater relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae than MDM and HDM. For silage at 20 d, HDM silage was more aerobically stable than LDM and MDM and inoculation improved aerobic stability 1.8-fold compared with CTR. For silage at 60 d, there was an interaction between DM content and inoculation. The improvements in stability by inoculation, compared with CTR, were greater in MDM (261 vs. 41 h) and HDM (320 vs. 66 h) silages than in LDM (85 vs. 46 h). The lower DM content and possible slower pH decline in LDM might have facilitated the development of undesirable bacteria and coupled with its greater concentration of reducing sugars and lactic and acetic acids, which are substrates for aerobic microorganisms, might explain the more modest improvements in aerobic stability from inoculation in LDM compared with MDM and HDM. Our findings suggest that the DM content of whole-plant corn affected its epiphytic microbial community and the effectiveness of the inoculant, which improved aerobic stability at all DM but to a greater extent in HDM and MDM than in LDM, especially after 60 d of ensiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An in vitro study was planned to assess the effects of a homofermentative microbial inoculant on the fermentation parameters and nutritive value of corn silage. The inoculant was applied at concentrations of 5x104cfu/g of forage (T1), 1x105cfu/g of forage (T2) 1.5x105cfu/g of forage (T3) and a negative control group (T0) without bacterial inoculant in three replicates each. At day 3, 7, 45 and 90 of the experiment individual buckets were opened to characterize the material, quick acidification, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability of silage respectively. The temperature of the trial samples was 32.75±1.92 throughout the trial duration. A rapid and significant reduction in pH even at third day of trial from 6.5 to 3.61 in the treatment (T2 and T3) groups and remained consistent till 90 day of experiment (with non-significant fluctuations) when compared with control group (6.5 to 5.0). The levels of lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acids were significantly (P5cfu/g and 1.5x105cfu/g inclusion levels of inoculant.

The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fermented juice of tropical crops such as Napier grass, Ruzi grass, Purple guinea grass, Stylo legume, and Leucaena and their application to improve the quality of tropical crop silage. Fifteen strains of LAB were isolated. The LAB strains were Gram-positive and catalase-negative bacteria and could be divided into three groups, i.e., Pediococcus pentosaceus , Lactiplantibacillus (para)plantarum , and Limosilactobacillus fermentum according to the biochemical API 50CH test. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA sequence, the strains isolated in the group L. (para)plantarum were distinguished. Two isolates (N3 and G4) were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Three isolates (St1, St2, and St3) were identified as L. paraplantarum. In addition, the identification of other isolates was confirmed in the group P. pentosaceus (R1, R4, R5, R8, R11, and L1) and the group L. fermentum (N4, G6, G7, and N4). All selected strains were able to grow at 50°C. All LAB strains showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Shigella sonnei ATCC 25931, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778. Four selected LAB strains (St1, St3, N4, and R4) were tested for their capacity to successfully ensile Stylo legume (Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT184). Stylo silages treated with LAB were well preserved, the NH3–N and butyric acid contents were lower, and the lactic acid content was higher than those in the control (p < 0.05). The acetic acid content was the highest in R4-treated silage among the treatments (p < 0.05). The crude protein (CP) content of St1-silage was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the others. The inoculation of thermotolerant LAB selected from fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) was found to be highly instrumental to obtain well-preserved silage from the Stylo legume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing alfalfa silage in livestock production systems is an important issue in order to maintain the silage quality and achieve maximum profitable production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to estimate effects of commercial bacterial inoculants on chemical composition and fermentation of alfalfa silage, under field conditions in the commercial dairy farm, during 2017. The silage mass was subdivided into five equal parts (control - silage without inoculant) and silages treated with commercial bacterial inoculants (PIO 1 - Pioneer 11H50, PIO2 - Pioneer 11AFT, SIL - Silko and BON - Bosilage alfa) all ensiled in microsilos. After 90 days of ensiling, silages were analysed for chemical and nutritional composition and fermentation characteristics. Dry matter and crude protein value were higher, lactic acid and acetic acid value were significantly higher in silage treated with bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON compared to control silage. Contrary, alfalfa silage treated with a bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON had lower values of acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and pH and significantly lower values butyric acid, alcohols and NH3-N/total nitrogen compared to control silage. Results showed that bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON increases silage quality compared to control silage.

In this experiment, the effects were evaluated of various dietary inclusion levels of avocado oil cake (AOC) silage on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics in pigs. A mixture of 70% AOC, 25% wheat bran, and 5% sugarcane molasses was ensiled in 200 L drums for 90 days. It was then incorporated at 0%, 3% and 5% in the experimental diets. Twenty-seven Large White cross Landrace (LW x LR) weaner pigs, with an average live weight of 22 kg, were stratified by weight and randomly allocated to the three experimental diets (9 pigs/diet). Pigs were weighed individually each week throughout the trial. Daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rates (FCRs) were recorded. A nutrient digestibility study was carried out on completion of the growth trial. At the end of the experiment, pigs were fasted for twelve hours and weighed to determine the final weight. The pigs were then slaughtered, and carcass samples were collected and analysed. The growth performance of pigs was not affected by diet, irrespective of fibre levels in the AOC silage. However, the addition of 3% AOC silage improved the digestibility of fibre fractions. The weights of the cold carcass, chops, and backfat thickness were reduced with AOC silage addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a nutritious, palatable, and attractive fermented diet as supplementary food for honey bees (Apis mellifera) during periods of natural food scarcity. Two types of commercial silage inoculants were tested; bacteria and a mix of bacteria and fungi were used to ferment a protein-based feed for 7, 14, or 28 days. The positive control consisted of beebread and the negative controls were sucrose solution 50%, w/v) and the unfermented protein diet. These feeds were offered, 4 g each, along with sucrose solution ad libitum, to 60 worker bees confined in plastic cages (seven replicates, 7 days). A pool of 20 bees/cage was collected on the first day (day 0) and on the 7th day of the experiment, for protein quantification by the Bradford method and for the electrophoretic profile of the proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The diets fermented for 7 days were the most consumed when compared with unfermented protein diet and with beebread. All the bees that ate the fermented feeds (except for the 28-day fermentation period) presented higher titers of protein in the hemolymph when compared with the bees that did not consume any protein food (negative control and day 0). The electrophoretic analysis presented a protein profile compatible with good protein expression in the hemolymph of the bees that consumed the fermented feeds, in comparison with bees that had no access to a protein diet. Consequently, we conclude that fermenting protein supplements with silage inoculants is a viable alternative for producing protein diets that are nutritious and palatable for honey bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Managing alfalfa silage in livestock production systems is an important issue in order to maintain the silage quality and achieve maximum profitable production of milk and meat. The aim of this study was to estimate effects of commercial bacterial inoculants on chemical composition and fermentation of alfalfa silage, under field conditions in the commercial dairy farm, during 2017. The silage mass was subdivided into five equal parts (control - silage without inoculant) and silages treated with commercial bacterial inoculants (PIO 1 - Pioneer 11H50, PIO2 - Pioneer 11AFT, SIL - Silko and BON - Bonsilage alfa) all ensiled in microsilos. After 90 days of ensiling, silages were analysed for chemical and nutritional composition and fermentation characteristics. Dry matter and crude protein value were higher, lactic acid and acetic acid value were significantly higher in silage treated with bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON compared to control silage. Contrary, alfalfa silage treated with a bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON had lower values of acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and pH and significantly lower values butyric acid, alcohols and NH3-N/total nitrogen compared to control silage. Results showed that bacterial inoculant PIO1, PIO2, SIL and BON increases silage quality compared to control silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of the current experiment was to study the effect of lactic acid bacteria silage inoculants on baled whole‐crop wheat silages and on performance parameters of high milking cows that were fed these bales. Treatments included control (no additive), Lacobacillus buchneri 40788 (LB), Lactobacillus plantarum MTD1 40027 (LP) and Pediococcus pentosaceus 30168 (PP), each applied at 106 CFU g−1 fresh matter. Nine kg (dry matter) silages and 20 kg of dry premix were included in the total mix ration (TMR) of 32 high milking Holstein cows in a controlled feeding experiment. In the initial 10 days all cows received the control silage only, followed by 25 days during which the cows received either the control or one of the treated silages in their rations (eight cows/group). All baled silages were of good quality. The daily milk yields in the last week of the experiment were 43.3, 46.5, 44.7 and 44.5 kg, for the control, LB, LP and PP, respectively. The percent milk fat for the respective treatments was 3.39, 3.23, 3.31 and 3.39, and the percent milk protein 3.27, 3.25, 3.31 and 3.28. Among the inoculants used, LB resulted in the largest enhancement of lactating cows performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de óxido de cálcio (CaO) e/ou L. buchneri (LB) sobre as perdas e alterações químicas de silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou queimada. Foram avaliadas silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou queimada produzidas sem aditivo; com Lactobacillus buchneri; com óxido de cálcio equivalente 1% da matéria natural; ou com a associação do L. buchneri e do óxido de cálcio. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (2 × 4), considerando fatores a queima (presença ou ausência) e o uso de aditivos (L. buchneri, óxido de cálcio e sua associação), cada um avaliado com três repetições. O óxido de cálcio foi mais eficiente em reduzir a variação no teor de matéria seca tanto nas silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura quanto na queimada. Nas silagens de cana-de-açúcar sem aditivos, maiores recuperações de matéria seca foram observadas quando a ensilagem foi feita com cana in natura (63,5%) em comparação à cana queimada (46,8%). Todavia, quando utilizados aditivos, não houve diferenças entre as silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura e queimada. A presença de óxido de cálcio foi o fator que promoveu maior diferença entre as silagens. O óxido de cálcio é eficiente em reduzir as perdas e as alterações químicas na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar, tanto in natura quanto queimada. O L. buchneri atua eficientemente em silagens de cana-de-açúcar queimada. Silagens de cana-de-açúcar queimada são mais propensas às perdas que as de cana-de-açúcar in natura.The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of calcium oxide (CaO) and/or L. buchneri (LB) on the losses and chemical composition changes of in natura and burned sugar cane silages. Silage treatments were: in natura sugar cane without additive (IS), with Lactobacillus buchneri (ISLB), with calcium oxide (ISCaO) equivalent to 1% of natural matter, and the combination of LB and CaO (ISLBCaO). Experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (2 × 4) considering status (burned or not) and additives (LB, CaO and LB+CaO) with three replications per treatment. Dry matter variation was lower for in natura and burned silages treated with CaO; regardless of the LB presence, the mean difference was 5.85 percentage units. In sugar cane silages without additives, higher dry matter recoveries were observed when the plant was ensiled with in natura silage (63.5%) compared with burned silage (46.8%). However, when additives (CaO and LB) were used, no significant differences occurred between the in natura and burned silage treatments. The presence of calcium oxide was the factor that provided the greatest discrimination among the data. Calcium oxide is effective in reducing losses and chemical changes on the in natura and burned silages. The L. buchneri acts effectively on burned sugar cane silages, and the latter are more susceptible to losses than those of in natura sugar cane.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da queima e do uso de aditivos (ureia, benzoato de sódio, hidróxido de sódio (NaOH), Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum e Lactobacillus buchneri) na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 (cana-de-açúcar crua e queimada) × 6 (cinco aditivos mais o grupo controle) com três repetições. Determinaram-se as perdas durante o processo fermentativo nas formas de gases e de efluentes e a recuperação de matéria seca (MS). Maior recuperação de MS foi observada nas silagens de cana-de-açúcar queimada (77,3%) em relação às silagens de cana crua (73,1%). As recuperações de MS observadas nas silagens tratadas com NaOH ou L. buchneri foram de 84%, enquanto das silagens controle, 69%. No período após abertura, uma variável importante é a inibição da elevação do pH, nesse caso, medida pela variação do pH. Destacam-se como inibidores da variação do pH o benzoato de sódio e o L. buchneri, que promoveram variação do pH de 0,05 e 0,18 unidade de pH, respectivamente. A ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar sem aditivos, crua ou queimada, é uma estratégia que resulta em grandes perdas quantitativas, que podem ser evitadas pelo uso de aditivos. Entre os aditivos avaliados, o L. buchneri é o que atua de forma mais satisfatória nas fases de fermentação e pós-abertura de silagens de cana-de-açúcar crua ou queimada.This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of burning and additivess (urea, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri) on sugar cane silage. A randomized complete design was used, in a 2 × 6 factorial scheme with two sugar cane forages (natural or burned) and six treatments (five additive sources plus a control) with three replications. The gas and effluent losses during the fermentation process and dry matter recovery (DMR) were determined. Greater DMR was observed in the burned sugar cane silage (77.3%) compared to the crude silage (73.1%). Among the additives, greater DM recovery was observed in the silages treated with the NaOH or L. buchneri silage, that showed 84.0% DMR, and the control silage with 69.0%. After opening, an important aspect is the inhibition of pH elevation, in this case, measured by the variation in the pH values (VpH). Sodium benzoate and L. buchneri were efficient inhibitors of the VpH, showing values of 0.05 and 0.18 per pH unit, respectively. Ensiled sugar cane without additives, raw or burned, is a strategy that presents high quantitative losses. L. buchneri effectively reduces losses during the fermentation and post-opening phases of raw or burned sugar cane silage.

Objetivou-se avaliar silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com aditivos químicos (uréia 1,5%; benzoato de sódio 0,1%; ou hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) 1% na matéria natural) combinados ou não com inoculantes (Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum ou Lactobacillus buchneri). Foram avaliadas 12 silagens: uma controle, sem inoculante e sem aditivo químico; três sem inoculante, mas com um dos aditivos; uma com P. acidipropionici + L. plantarum, sem aditivo químico; três com P. acidipropionici + L. plantarum e um dos aditivos; uma com L. buchneri, sem aditivo químico; e três com L. buchneri e um dos aditivos. Os dados foram analisados em esquema fatorial 4 × 3 com três repetições para cada tratamento. Foram determinadas as perdas ocorridas durante o processo fermentativo nas formas de gases e de efluentes e a recuperação da MS. Durante a exposição aeróbia, determinaram-se a recuperação da MS e a estabilidade aeróbia medida pela variação da temperatura. A associação de L. buchneri e NaOH reduziu as perdas por gases e efluentes e elevou a recuperação da MS. No período após abertura, destacou-se a atuação do benzoato de sódio em manter o pH com variação de apenas 0,1 unidade em cinco dias de exposição aeróbia e dos inoculantes L. buchneri e P. acidipropionici + L. plantarum em prolongar o tempo para elevação da temperatura de 34 horas nas silagens controle para 54 e 50 horas, respectivamente. A ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar requer a inclusão de algum aditivo eficiente no controle das perdas quantitativas durante a fermentação e a exposição aeróbia.The experiment was carried out to evaluate sugar cane silage treated with chemical additive: urea 1.5%, sodium benzoate 0.1%, and sodium hydroxide 1.0% on the wet basis, associated with Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri, plus control silage in a factorial scheme 4 x 3, with three replications. The gas and effluents losses during the fermentation phase, and dry matter recovery were determined. During the aerobic phase were determined the dry matter recovery and aerobic stability through the temperature variation. The Lactobacillus buchneri and NaOH association reduced gas and effluent losses and increased the dry matter recovery. At the aerobic phase, the sodium benzoate maintained the pH values, with changes of 0.1 unit during five days. The time to temperature elevation increased from 34 hours on the control silage to 54.0 and 50.0 hours, respectively on the silage inoculated with Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus buchneri. The sugar cane silage production required an efficient additive inclusion which can control the quantitative losses during the fermentation and aerobic phases.

Objetivou-se avaliar a ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com três aditivos químicos (uréia 1,5%, benzoato de sódio 0,1% e hidróxido de sódio 1%) mais o grupo controle e duas inoculações (Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum e Lactobacillus buchneri), em um esquema fatorial 4 x 3 com três repetições para cada tratamento. Avaliou-se o valor nutritivo da forragem antes da ensilagem, após a abertura dos silos e após a exposição aeróbia. As associações de P. acidipropionici ou L. buchneri com NaOH, em comparação ao grupo controle, possibilitaram melhor preservação dos teores de MS (32,2 e 33,5 vs 27,4%, respectivamente), FDN ( 53,4; 55,7 vs 75,3%), FDA (39,5; 44,3 vs 48,7%), lignina (6,6; 7,1 vs 8,1%) e CNF (33,8; 31,7 vs 14,9%) e, conseqüentemente, propiciaram os maiores valores de DIVMS (60,3; 63,2 vs 35,1%). Esses valores podem ser atribuídos ao controle das leveduras pelos efeitos da associação dos aditivos. A ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar requer de forma contundente a inclusão de aditivo.This trial was conducted to evaluate the sugar cane silage treated with chemical additive (urea-1.5%, sodium benzoate-0.1%, and sodium hydroxide-1.0%), associated with control, and two bacterial inoculants (Propionibacterium acidipropionici + Lactobacillus plantarum e Lactobacillus buchneri), in a factorial scheme (4 x 3), and three replications per treatment. It was evaluated the nutritive value of the sugar cane treated with different additive combinations, before and after ensilage. The association of the P. acidipropionici or L. buchneri with NaOH, compared to the control resulted in better preservation of DM (32.2 and 33.5%, compared to 27.4%, respectively), and preserved the NDF (53.4; 55.7% versus 75.3%), ADF (39.5, 44.3% versus 48.7%), lignin (6.6, 7.1% versus 8.1%), and NFC (33.8, 31.7% versus 14.9%), resulting in higher true in vitro DM digestibility (60.3, 63.2% versus 35.1%). The observed values could be associated to the yeast control due to the associative additive effects. In general, it is possible to conclude that sugar cane ensilage process require an efficient additive utilization.

Foi conduzido um experimento com 11 suínos híbridos, machos castrados,com peso vivo de 41,42 ± 0,99 kg. Os animais foram alojados individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo e distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com parcelas subdivididas, com quatro tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (moagem x ensilagem). Os alimentos avaliados foram: a casca de soja (CS) integral (CSI), CS moída (CSM), silagem de CSI (SCSI) e silagem de CSM (SCSM), que substituíram, com base na matéria seca (MS), 25% da ração referência e resultaram em quatro rações teste, sendoadicionado um inoculante enzimático microbiano nas silagens. Houve diferença somente para o CDPB em relação ao processamento da CS (ensilada = 68,08% e não ensilada = 59,44%). Conclui-se que a moagem e/ou ensilagem da CS, não tem efeito sobre a digestibilidade da MS, da MO, da EB, bem como sobre a metabolizabilidade da energia bruta. A ensilagem aumenta a digestibilidade da PB da casca de soja.An experiment was carried out using 11 crossbred pigs, barrows with body weight of 41.42 ± 0.99 kg. Pigs were allotted in metabolism cages, in a complete randomized design, in a split-plot design, with four treatments in a 2 x 2 (grinding x ensilage) factorial and two replicates. Soybean hull (SH) in the whole form (WSH), ground SH (GSH), WSH silage (WSHS) and GSH silage (GSHS), that replaced (based on dry matter) 25% of the reference diet, were evaluated resulting in four test diets. Enzymatic microbial inoculants were included in the silages production. Crude protein digestibility coefficient of soybean hull ensilage (68.08%) was higher than no silage (59.44%), regardless grinding. Results showed that grinding and/or ensilage do not modify dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy digestibility, as well as energy metabolism. The ensilage processincreases the crude protein digestibility coefficient of soybean hull, regardless grinding.

The effect of bacterial inoculation on the fermentation and aerobic stability of two ensiled whole plant soybean (WPSB) cultivars was determined in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Two WPSB cultivars, Link LF6466 and Pannar 522 RR, were harvested at their R6 growth stage, chopped to 25 mm and ensiled in 1.5 L anaerobic jars. The chopped forages were treated with or without the bacterial inoculant Lalsil Dry (LD) and treatments were as follows: i) Pan control (soybean cv Pannar 522 RR with no additive); ii) Link control (soybean cv Link LF 6466 with no additive); iii) Pan LD (soybean cv Pannar 522 RR treated with LD); and iv) Link LD (soybean cv Link LF 6466 treated with LD). Jars were opened on days 3, 7, 10, 21 and 90 to determine pH. Samples of day 0 and day 90 were used to determine chemical composition and fermentation characteristics. In addition, samples of day 90 were subjected to an aerobic stability test in which they were exposed to air for five days, and CO2, pH, hours for temperature to rise above 2 °C, yeasts and moulds were determined. Pannar cultivar had higher contents of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE) and ether extract (EE) compared with the Link cultivar at pre-ensiling. However, Link cultivar had higher content of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) compared with Pannar. Inoculation with LD reduced silage DM, CP and fibre contents, and increased silage pH compared with the control. Inoculation increased silage acetic and propionic acids, but had a lower content of lactic acid (LA) and DM recovery compared with the control. When compared with the control, silage aerobic stability was improved with LD inoculation, as indicated by reduced CO2 production, and yeast and mould populations, and increased number of hours for stability after aerobic exposure. It was concluded that LD inoculant reduced silage fermentation and preservation, but improved aerobic stability of silage. Further work is needed to determine the effects of soybean silage on growth performance and production response of ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results for ensiling of the whole maize plant alone or in mixing with alfalfa. In this experiment maize FAO maturity group 600 and alfalfa at the end of butonization phase (wilted material with 390 gkg-1 dry matter), was used for ensiling. The experiment was organized as two-factorial (3□2) with three replications, where factor A was the different amount of alfalfa (A1=0%, A2=15%, A3=30%,) and factor B was inoculation (B1= no inoculant, B2= with inoculant). All silages after the treatment were compressed in plastic experimental siloses with volume of 60 dm3. After 56 days the experimental siloses were opened and representative samples were taken for chemical analyses. Chemical composition and silage quality were analysed in the Laboratory for nutrition of domestic animals on the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Belgrade. Statistical analysis was performed by software Statsoft (2006), where the analysis of variance examined the significance of the factors. Along with the increase of the share of alfalfa in silages, there was increase of crude proteins, lipids, cellulose, ash, pH value and production of ammonia, with the decreasing share of NFE (p<0.05). In treatments with inoculant increase in amount of lactic acid was noticed, as well as lower amount of ammonia nitrogen and acetic acid, which can be significant for aerobic stability of silage. All silages, with a slight variation in the point number, were ranked in the 1st quality class according to the Flieg method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculation and storage length on the fermentation profile, dry matter losses and aerobic stability of wet brewers grains (WBG) ensiled with increasing amounts of dry ground corn (DGC). Pure WBG (210 g/kg of dry matter [DM]) and 3 mixtures of WBG and DGC were prepared targeting for a dry matter content of 350 g/kg (RC35), 500 g/kg (RC50) or 650 g/kg (RC65). Distilled water (CON) or one of two microbial inoculants were applied, a combination with Pediococcus pentosaceus at 1 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage and Propionibacterium freudenreichii at 2 × 104 cfu/g of fresh forage (PPPF), or a heterofermentative with Lactobacillus buchneri at 7.5 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage and Pediococcus pentosaceus at 1 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage (LBPP). Mixtures were ensiled in laboratory silos in quadruplicate and opened at two storage lengths (SL), 30 or 60 days (30 d and 60 d, respectively). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with a 4 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments using Proc Glimmix of SAS. Butyric acid concentration decreased (P < 0.04) with addition DGC regardless of microbial inoculation. Mixtures with greater amounts of DGC (RC50 and RC60) reduced (P < 0.01) DM losses and pH, regardless of inoculation or storage length. Lactic acid concentration was greater (P ≤ 0.05) with intermediate addition of corn (RC35 and RC50). Acetic acid concentration did not differ among inoculation treatments when corn was added to the mixtures; however, LBPP increased 1,2-propanediol in RC50 and RC60. Moreover, LBPP increased aerobic stability only for the RC65 mixture. In conclusion, the addition of DGC to WBG improves fermentation and decreases DM losses, while inoculation with LBPP can improve aerobic stability in RC65. Our data suggests that adding DGC to WBG is a feasible strategy to store WBG for up to 60 days and inoculation with PPPF and LBPP can improve further the conditions of the WBG and DGC mixtures silage. • Results showed the importance of boosting fermentation with microbial inoculation. • Adding dry ground corn to wet brewers grain improved anerobic fermentation. • L. buchneri inoculation improved aerobic stability of 650 g/kg dry matter mixture. • Inoculating wet brewers grain with L. buchneri inhibited clostridial fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of bacterial inoculation and cellulase on the fermentation quality of ensiled whole-crop sweet sorghum (WCSS, Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). The WCSS (323 g dry matter (DM)/kg, 251 g water soluble carbohydrates (WSC)/kg DM, 43 g crude protein (CP)/kg DM and 439 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg DM) was ensiled with i) no additive (control); ii) Lactobacillus buchneri (LB); iii) Lactobacillus plantarum (LP); and iv) LB+E, a combination of LB and enzyme. These treatments were ensiled in 1 L anaerobic jars for 25 days. The jars were opened on days 3, 7 and 15 to determine pH, while those of day 25 were sampled to determine nutrient composition, fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability. Inoculation reduced pH, butyric acid and ammonia-N and increased lactic acid content in sweet sorghum silage compared with the control. The aerobic stability of WCSS was improved with LB, while it was reduced with the homofermentative LP treatment compared with the control. The LB+E reduced the fibre, but increased residual WSC of silage. The aerobic stability of LB+E silage was lower than LB treated silage. Using enzymes to increase the WSC content of crops that already have high levels of WSC may result in reduced aerobic stability of silage. Further work is needed to evaluate these effects on silage produced on farm scale and on animal production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Totally mixed rations (TMRs) that contained 804g/kg potato hash (PH) were ensiled in 1.5 L jars with or without a heterofermentative inoculant, Lalsil Fresh Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) for 3 months. Jars were opened on days, 0, 3, 7, 10, 21, 45, 60 and 90 of ensiling and sampled for fermentation and chemical composition determinations. Aerobic stability was determined on day 90 of ensiling. Treatments were LB treated TMR (LB-TMR) and untreated TMR (U-TMR). Furthermore, three TMRs that contained 801g/kg of either maize (320g DM/kg) or PH (as fed basis) were ensiled for 90 days in 210 L drums for lamb growth and digestibility studies. The ensiled TMRs were: Maize TMR (M-TMR), U-TMR and LB-TMR and were fed to 24 South African Dorper lambs (20± 0.152kg live weight) that were randomly allocated to the three TMR treatments (8 lambs/pretreatment). Inoculation with LB decreased (P <0.05) pH, butyric acid, NH3-N, fibre fractions, CO2 production and yeast population while lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations were increased (P <0.05) compared to U-TMR silage. The ensiled LB-TMR was aerobically more stable than U-TMR silage as indicated by lower (P <0.05) CO2 production and yeast population and higher concentrations of acetic acid. Higher (P <0.05) feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), nutrient digestibility and N retention occurred in LB-TMR silage compared to the other silages. It was concluded that LB was effective in producing a better quality PHS as indicated by improved fermentation, aerobic stability, lamb growth performance and digestibility of LB-TMR silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Potato hash, a by-product from the food processing industry, was mixed with wheat bran (70:30) as fed basis and ensiled in 210l drum for 3 months. Three types of potato hash silages were prepared which were: the control (no additives), bonsilage forte (BF, a homofermentative additive) and Lalsil Fresh LB (LFLB, a heterofermentative additive). After 3 months, the silos were opened and sampled for fermentation characteristics. Diets were produced by mixing potato hash silage with soybean meal (90:10) as fed basis and a digestibility study was conducted using five South African Mutton Merino rams (37.2±2.21kg live weight) per diet. Inoculating potato hash silage with BF and LFLB reduced (P<0.05) pH, WSC, butyric acid and ammonia N while increasing the concentration of lactic acid compared to the control. A higher concentration of acetic acid was obtained with LFLB inoculation compared to the other silages. The aerobic stability of the silage was improved (P<0.05) with LFLB while it was reduced with BF inoculation as indicated by higher CO2 production from the latter. Intakes of dry (DM) and organic matter (OM) were not affected while that of gross energy and CP were improved (P<0.05) with BF and LFLB inoculations. Inoculants increased CP, energy and aNDF digestibility, but did not alter DM or OM digestibility. Inoculating silage with BF improved (P<0.05) digestibility of ether extract compared to the other treatments, and inoculations resulted in higher (P<0.05) N intake and retention. It is concluded that BF and LFLB improved silage fermentation and diet digestibility of CP, aNDF and gross energy. Inoculation with LFLB improved aerobic stability whilst BF inoculation reduced it. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the effects of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) inoculants and vacuuming on the fermentation quality and bacterial community, alfalfas were ensiled with or without a commercial LAB YX or Lactobacillus plantarum strain ZZUA493 for 10, 30, 60, and 90 days while undergoing either vacuum (V) or nonvacuum (NV) treatment. At 90 days, analysis of the microbial community by high-throughput sequencing was performed, and contents of aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins in alfalfa silage were determined. In all inoculated alfalfa silage, irrespective of V or NV treatment, lactic acid (LA) content increased, pH (p < 0.05), and ammonia nitrogen (p < 0.05) content decreased, and no butyric acid was detected. Lactobacillus or Pediococcus became the dominant genus, and the abundance of Garciella decreased in alfalfa silage with the addition of either inoculant. The LAB inoculants YX and ZZUA493 helped reduce the mycotoxin content in alfalfa silage. The abundance of Garciella in the control and DON content in all alfalfa silage groups were higher (p < 0.05) in NV than V. In summary, LAB inoculants and vacuuming had a positive influence on alfalfa silage quality, and LAB inoculants were effective in reducing mycotoxins in silage alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

h.e. johnson, r.j. merry, d.r. davies, d.b. kell, m.k. theodorou and g.w. griffith. 2004.To determine the utility of vacuum-packed polythene bags as a convenient, flexible and cost-effective alternative to fixed volume glass vessels for lab-scale silage studies.Using perennial ryegrass or red clover forage, similar fermentations (as assessed by pH measurement) occurred in glass tube and vacuum-packed silos over a 35-day period. As vacuum-packing devices allow modification of initial packing density, the effect of four different settings (initial packing densities of 0·397, 0·435, 0·492 and 0·534 g cm−3) on the silage fermentation over 16 days was examined. Significant differences in pH decline and lactate accumulation were observed at different vacuum settings. Gas accumulation was apparent within all bags and changes in bag volume with time was observed to vary according to initial packing density.Vacuum-packed silos do provide a realistic model system for lab-scale silage fermentations.Use of vacuum-packed silos holds potential for lab-scale evaluations of silage fermentations, allowing higher throughput of samples, more consistent packing as well as the possibility of investigating the effects of different initial packing densities and use of different wrapping materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silages were prepared in six laboratory experiments from four direct-cut grassland swards and pure swards of perennial ryegrass and false oat with dry matter contents ranging between 180 and 325 g/kg. Grass was fermented at 22°C and silages were stored at the same temperature for 4 months. Untreated silages (negative control) and silages preserved with 3 g/kg of formic acid (positive control) were compared with silages inoculated with commercial strains of Lactobacillus plantarum , Lactobacillus buchneri and a mixed preparation Microsil. The inoculants were applied at a dose of 5.10 6 CFU/g of grass. Seven biogenic amines were extracted from silages with perchloric acid and determined as N- benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Common chemical quality parameters of silages were also determined. Tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine were the amines occurring at the highest concentration. As compared to untreated silages, formic acid was most effective to suppress formation of the main amines. Also the inoculants often decreased amine contents significantly ( P  < 0.05). The inoculants decreased levels of polyamine spermidine more efficiently than formic acid. Contents of histamine, tryptamine and polyamine spermine were very low, commonly below the detection limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silages from five ripened varieties of silage maize with dry matter contents ranging between 275 and 410 g/kg were prepared in five laboratory experiments. Whole-plant maize was fermented at 22°C and silages were then stored at the same temperature for 4 months. Spontaneously fermented silages were prepared as control variants and compared with silages inoculated with commercial strains of Lactobacillus plantarum , Lactobacillus buchneri and a mixed preparation Microsil containing L. plantarum , Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus pentosaceus. The starter cultures were applied at doses 5·10 5 and 5·10 6 CFU/g of chopped maize. Seven biogenic amines and polyamines were extracted from silages with perchloric acid and determined as N -benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Common chemical criteria of silage quality were also determined. All three inoculants, mainly at the higher dose, decreased significantly contents of tyramine, putrescine and cadaverine, three undesirable amines occurring at the highest levels. L. plantarum was the most effective. Contents of histamine and tryptamine were low in all experimental silages. Also relatively low were levels of polyamines spermidine and mainly of spermine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensiling of whole crop oats in wrapped big round bales is common in South Africa. Low numbers of homofermentative lactic acid bacteria present on whole crop oats prior to ensiling, as well as a low water soluble carbohydrate content, may have a detrimental effect on preservation of whole crop big bale oat silage. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of addition of an enzyme containing lactic acid bacterial inoculant to big bale oat silage on silage composition, silage intake, milk production, and milk composition of Jersey cows. Oats (Avena sativa, cv Cederberg), was planted on 30 April 1998 on 2 ha under dry land conditions in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The crop was cut on 3 September at the bloom stage, wilted and ensiled in big round bales. The inoculant was applied during the baling process on half of the bales. Bales were stored for 9 months, transported to Outeniqua Experimental farm and fed to Jersey cows. The control and inoculated oat silages were well preserved at a pH of 4.56 and 4.52 at a dry matter content of 317 and 328 g/kg silage. The in vitro organic matter digestibility as well as the crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre contents were unaffected by inoculant but the inoculated silage tended (P=0.06) to have a lower level of butyric acid. Twenty-two multiparous Jersey cows were blocked into pairs and randomly allocated to control or inoculated silages. Whole crop oat silage was fed ad libitum and dairy concentrate was fed at 5.5 kg DM per cow per day. The intake of control and inoculated oat silage was 11.7 and 12.3 kg DM per cow per day (P=0.09), respectively. Milk production of the cows fed the inoculated silage was 17.7 kg per cow per day compared to the 16.7 kg per cow per day for cows fed the control silage (P=0.05). Cows fed the inoculated silage had lower (P=0.01) milk urea nitrogen. Addition of the inoculant to big bale oat silage increased silage intake and milk production of Jersey cows. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]