The effect of inoculants and cellulase on the fermentation and microbiological composition of grass silage: I Biochemical changes in the silages

Abstract

Abstract. The effect of the inoculation and the adding of the cellulase enzyme on the fermentation of sugar-rich, direct cut grass were studied. The control silages were made by using AIV II solution and no additives. The silages were prepared from the first cut on a farm scale in the summer of 1985.Generally all four silages were organoleptically good. The results showed only minor differences in the fermentation between untreated and inoculated or enzyme silages. The quality of fermentation, however, was improved in inoculated and enzyme silages. The quality further improved by using the AIV II solution. This was supported by the changes in the pH, ammonia, buffering capacity, redox potential, temperature and finally by a better digestibility of organic matter.

The effect of inoculants and cellulase on the fermentation and microbiological composition of grass silage: II Microbiological changes in the silages

“…As reported by Rauramaa et al (1987) the sugar content of raw material sward was high, over 15 % in dry matter. From the sugars two thirds were glucose, fructose, and sucrose.…”

“…According to the contents of carbon dioxide in the silages (Rauramaa et al 1987) oxygen was consumed very rapidly in the fodder mass and the careful compacting and covering prevented the access of oxygen of the air into the silages. Therefore in all the experimental silages there was a good opportunity for homofermentative lactic acid fermentation.…”

“…Most of them were apparently facultative anaerobes. According to chemical analyses there was not any fermentation in AIV II silage (Rauramaa et al 1987) and the contents of microbes decreased ( Fig. 1 and 2) during the first preservation day.…”

“…In all these silages was a clear decrease in the content of lactic acid bacteria just as in the total count of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It is possible that at that juncture lactic acid bacteria flora changed its metabolisms in the silages made with cellulase, inoculants and no additives, because the hexose-sugars were consumed and at the same time the redox potential decreased significantly as described by Rauramaa et al (1987), and according to Gibson's tests heterolactic bacteria started to increase in those three silages (Fig. 2).…”

“…Samples for microbiological analyses were taken by hand using plastic gloves together with the samples for chemical analyses (see Rauramaa et al 1987). They were transported to the laboratory covered with ice and analyzed 2.5 hours after sampling.…”