A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of a Chemical Additive on the Fermentation and Aerobic Stability of Whole-Plant Maize Silage

Érica Benjamim Da Silva,Limin Kung

doi:10.3390/agriculture12020132

Érica Benjamim Da Silva, Limin Kung

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020132

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Journal: Agriculture	Publication Date: Jan 19, 2022
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Delaware

Abstract

Our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of a chemical additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite on the fermentation and aerobic stability of whole-plant maize silage. We used data from 28 experiments, with 56 untreated to treated comparisons, carried out over a 9-year period. The influence of dry matter (DM) content and length of ensiling on the additive effect were assessed by meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Treatment with the additive reduced the pH and concentrations of ammonia-N, lactic acid, and ethanol, but increased the concentration of residual reducing sugars, DM recovery, and aerobic stability (by about 5 days). As the forage DM decreased, there was a greater reduction in ethanol by the additive treatment. The additive reduced the number of yeasts in silages made with forage harvested at >32% DM. The improvement in aerobic stability by the additive increased as ensiling time progressed. Overall, these findings show that the chemical additive has the ability to consistently and markedly improve the aerobic stability of maize silage under a wide range of conditions.

Highlights

Chemical additives are often used to inhibit the fermentation of undesirable bacteria, reducing losses and preventing the development of yeasts that initiate aerobic deterioration in silages [1]
These findings show that the chemical additive has the ability to consistently and markedly improve the aerobic stability of maize silage under a wide range of conditions
In the initial experiments evaluating an additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite (ADT), Knicky and Sporndly [3] and da Silva et al [4] reported that it markedly improved the aerobic stability of various silages

Summary

Introduction

Chemical additives are often used to inhibit the fermentation of undesirable bacteria, reducing losses and preventing the development of yeasts that initiate aerobic deterioration in silages [1]. In the initial experiments evaluating an additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite (ADT), Knicky and Sporndly [3] and da Silva et al [4] reported that it markedly improved the aerobic stability of various silages. Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are antifungal compounds used in the human food and animal feed industries, and in silage production, they aim to inhibit yeasts that commonly initiate aerobic deterioration [5]. The addition of sodium nitrite to mixtures of inhibitors of aerobic spoilage might still be beneficial to maize silage, as it could induce synergistic actions with antifungal compounds

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