The ensiling capability of a mixture of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an additive comprising sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite on the quality of silages fermented from various forage crops. Thirteen crops in 3 groups (differing in dry matter concentration and degree of ensilability) were treated with the additive mixture and compared with untreated control silages. The main focus was on yeast and Clostridia spp. activity in the silages, although other silage quality criteria also were measured. Treated silages from difficult-to-ensile crops at low dry matter were found to have significantly lower silage pH, fewer clostridial spores, and reduced concentrations of ammonia N, butyric acid, and ethanol. In addition, dry matter losses were reduced in treated silages compared with those receiving no additive. Similar results were observed in silages from easy or intermediate ensilable crops when the dry matter concentration was <300 g/kg. When the dry matter concentration was >350 g/kg, the treated silages contained less ammonia N, ethanol, and yeast for 3 out of 4 forages. All treated silages from all crops were aerobically stable during the examination time. The application of the tested additive mixture reduced the growth of undesirable microflora and thereby reduced silage losses and prolonged the aerobic stability of the silages.

Effects of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate at two application rates on fermentation and aerobic stability of maize silage

“…Our results indicate that PS and SB may be used alone, rather than in mixtures with sodium nitrite or hexamine, when applied at 1 and 2 g kg −1 to improve silage fermentation. Although Knický and Spörndly () reported that these products might be harmful to the environment and also for human and animal health, Zwiers and Weissbach () stated that the use of neither sodium nitrite nor hexamine presents human or animal health risks.…”

“…The effects of the PS and SB associations or their mixture with other products (EDTA, hexamine, sodium nitrite, sodium propionate) have been explored previously (Lingvall and Lättemäe, ; Knický and Lingvall, ; Kleinschmit et al ., ; Conaghan et al ., ; Knický and Spörndly, ). To be able to test the sole effect of PS and SB, they must be used without any other antimycotic additive.…”

Effects of additives on the fermentation and aerobic stability of grass silages and total mixed rations

“…However, despite the low application level, the SALT treatment was capable of improving silage fermentation quality (lower pH on both DM levels, lower acetic acid content on LDM and lower ethanol content on HDM compared to Control treatment) although it is unlikely that the silage additive will prove effective when the Control silage is of relatively good quality, as was the case in this experiment. More positive effects on silage quality parameters with the same SALT treatment were detected by Knicky and Spörndly () especially when the ensiled material was difficult to ensile.…”

Short communication: Use of a mixture of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate in aerobically challenged silages

“…The latest additive mixture, based on a combination of 50 g of sodium nitrite/kg, 200 g of sodium benzoate/kg, and 100 g of potassium benzoate/kg, is reported to have high efficiency for improving silage quality in both high-and low-DM silages (Knicky and Spörndly, 2009). Its efficiency in preventing the growth of undesirable microflora in silages has also been demonstrated for a large variety of crops (Knicky and Spörndly, 2011). However, these results have been obtained in routine ensiling conditions with properly consolidated contents and properly sealed silos.…”