Effects of formic acid and potassium diformate on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of potassium diformate (KDF) as a potential additive for alfalfa silage. Fresh alfalfa was untreated or treated with formic acid (4 g/kg fresh weight, FW) or three concentrations of KDF (4, 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW). After 60 days of ensiling, the addition of formic acid and greater levels of KDF (5.5 and 7 g/kg) effectively reduced silage pH and inhibited the undesirable bacteria, indicated by lower butyric acid, ethanol, ammonia N concentrations and microbial populations (including enterobacteria, yeasts, moulds and clostridia). Additives decreased the dry‐matter loss, and more water‐soluble carbohydrates were preserved in the silages with formic acid or potassium diformate than in the control. Alfalfa silages treated with formic acid at 4 g/kg FW or potassium diformate at 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW were classified as the highest quality silage based on the higher Flieg's point (above 70) and remained stable for more than 9 days during aerobic exposure. Potassium diformate is recommended as an effective additive for alfalfa silages at a level of 5.5 or 7 g/kg FW under the humid and hot conditions of southern China.

Lactobacillus plantarum Inoculants Delay Spoilage of High Moisture Alfalfa Silages by Regulating Bacterial Community Composition

“…In this study, Yellow River-irrigated alfalfa was chosen as the ensiling material, and was harvested at the early bloom stage during the high precipitation season. Although the wilting period was extended compared with previous studies ( Li X. et al, 2018 ; Li J. et al, 2018 ), the DM (266 g/kg FW) was still lower than the recommended content (300–400 g/kg FW) ( Yuan et al, 2017 ). This might due to the high precipitation during the harvest season.…”

Effects of four short‐chain fatty acids or salts on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage

“…Potassium diformate and sodium diacetate can easily ionize to formic and acetic acid, which have an acidification role in the silages . In the previous study, the addition of potassium diformate or sodium diacetate effectively reduced silage pH and inhibited the undesirable bacteria, which was attributed to the acidification functions of potassium diformate and sodium diacetate . The acidic properties of the organic acids decrease with an increase of chain length, indicating that propionic acid has a lower acidification function than formic and acetic acid; thus, a higher pH was observed in CAP silages than in the FA and KDF silages.…”

“…There were five treatments: (i) no additive (control); (ii) formic acid (FA) (88%) (Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China) applied at 4 g kg –1 fresh weight (FW); (iii) potassium diformate (KDF) (≥98%) (Hubei Ju Sheng Technology Co., Ltd, Hubei, China) applied at 5.5 g kg –1 FW; (iv) sodium diacetate (SDA) (≥98%) (Hubei Ju Sheng Technology Co., Ltd) applied at 7 g kg –1 FW; and (v) calcium propionate (CAP) (≥98%) (Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd) applied at 10 g kg –1 FW. These dosages were based on our previous study, which evaluated the effect of different rates of organic salts on pH of alfalfa silage after 30 days of ensiling . Additive was added and thoroughly mixed with the chopped forage (650 g) before packing into plastic laboratory silo (plastic drum, 1‐L capacity, diameter 9.5 cm, height 18.7 cm; Lantian Biological Experimental Instrument Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, China), followed by sealing with two screw tops (internal and external).…”

Effect of Different Kefir Source on Fermentation, Aerobic Stability, and Microbial Community of Alfalfa Silage

“…Biplot ordering using PCA of alfalfa silage characteristics inoculated with different kefir sources are also presented in Figure 4. 1 Values estimated by principal factor analysis after Varimax rotation of extracted PCAs * Variables with loading vectors higher than 0.50 were considered to load on specific PCA.…”