Medycyna Wet. 64 (4), 477-479, 2008
Selwet M., Raczkowska-Werwinska K., Potkański A., Grajewski J., Twaróżek M., Miklaszewska B., Łukomska V., Gubała A.
Chemical composition and microflora of silage from maize ensilage with bacterial and chemical additives
The aim of the study was the evaluation of the biological, chemical and microbiological composition of maize silage. Changes in the amount of the ochtratoxin A and zearalenone during maize fermentation process and subsequently after a week long oxygen exposure of the silage (stability evaluation) were evaluated. The experimental material comprised maize variety Celux S.C. (FAO 220), with a dry matter content of 37% which was ensiled after cutting in the following variants (3 microsilos each). The treatments were as follows: A – control maize without additives; B – maize + 0.25% chemical additives (55% HCOOH, 5% C2H5COOH, 24% NH4COOH, 1% ester of benzoic acid, 1% benzoic acid, E-151 dye), C – maize + 0.2% bacterial additives (Lactobacillus plantarum CFU 106 g-1, endo-1.4-beta-glukanase, xylanase, gluco-amylase). After 12 weeks of ensiling the quality of the silage, microbiological analysis, and pH value were determined. Moreover, the same analyses were carried out for the silage which underwent the 7-day oxygen exposure. The experimental preparations KemiSile 2000 and Lactacel L improved the air stability of silages, constraining the increase of the number of Clostridium, coli group and mould fungi. In most of the examined silages the mycotoxins were not detected; however, the presence of zearalenone was found in the control silage.
Keywords: maize silage, mould fungi, mycotoxins, aerobic stability