Effect of inoculants and fibrolytic enzymes on the fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility and aflatoxins accumulation of whole‐crop corn silage

Abstract

AbstractTwo additives (bacterial inoculants and fibrolytic enzymes) were tested for their effects on fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility, mold counts and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) content in corn silages. Whole‐plant corn was harvested with one‐half milk line stage and ensiled after the following treatments: (i) untreated (CON); (ii) bacterial inoculants at 105 CFU g−1 of fresh forage (B); (iii) fibrolytic enzymes at 100 U g−1 of fresh forage (E); and (iv) mixture of bacterial inoculants and enzymes at 105 CFU g−1 and 100 U g−1 of fresh forage, respectively (B+E). All the additives increased the lactic acid content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (P < 0.05), decreased ammonia nitrogen content (P < 0.05). E and B+E decreased the neutral detergent fiber content and increased the crude protein, in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein (P < 0.05). Aflatoxins content and mold counts for treated silage were lower than untreated silage (P < 0.05) throughout the air exposure stages (0, 1, 5, and 10 days). Additionally, the aflatoxins were not detected in B treated silage after 0 day exposure to air and in B+E throughout the air exposure stages.