Effects of bacterial inoculants and enzymes on the fermentation, aerobic stability and in vitro organic matter digestibility characteristics of sunflower silages

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculant, enzymes and lactic acid bacteria inoculant+enzymes mixture on the fermentation, cell wall content, aerobic stability and in vitro organic matter digestibility characteristics of sunflower silages. Methodology: Sunflower was harvested at the milk stage of maturity. The treatments were as follows: (1) Control (no additive), (2) Inoculation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB, 2 g t-1, a mixture of Lactobacillus piantarum and Enterococcus faecium applied at a rate of 6.00 log10 CFU LAB g-l of fresh material) (3) Enzyme (E, 150000 CMCU kg-1 for cellulase and 200000 SKB kg-1 for amylase) and (4) LAB+enzyme mixture (LAB+E, 2 g t-1 a mixture of Lactobacillus piantarum bacterium (6.00 log10 CFU g-1) and 150000 CMCU kg-1 for cellulase and 200000 SKB kg-1 for amylase). After treatment, the chopped sunflower was ensiled in 1.0-l special anaerobic jars, equipped with a lid enabling gas release only. The jars were stored at 25±2°C under laboratory conditions. Three jars from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analysis for 2, 4, 8 and 60 days after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 5 days. Results: In addition, in vitro organic matter digestibilities of these silages were determined. Both inoculants (LAB and LAB+E) increased characteristics of fermentation but impaired aerobic stability of sunflower silages. Lactic acid bacteria+enzymes mixture inoculants decreased neutral and acid detergent fiber content and than control silages. Conclusion: In vitro organic matter digestibility was numerically increased for treated than control silages. © 2017 Mehmet Levent Ozduven et al.