The effect of bacterial inoculant supplementation on the fermentation process of crushed maize ears in laboratory silos

Abstract

In the experiment was the effect of biological additive on the fermentation quality of crushed maize ears of two hybrids by comparing with the untreated control. The bacterial inoculant „A“ contained selected bacterial strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (NCIMB 30121) and Enterococcus faecium (NCIMB 30122). As effective substances of bacterial water–soluble inoculant „B“ were selected bacterial strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (NCIMB 30121), Lactobacillus plantarum (DSM 12836), Lactobacillus brevis (DSM 12835), Lactobacillus buchneri (DSM 12856), Pediococcus acidialactici (P. pentosaceus) (DSM 12834). The addition of inoculant „A“ in our experiment conditions increased statistically significantly (P<0.01) the pH value (4.09±0.01), resp. 4.02±0.02 in second trial with Pedro hybrid. The bacterial inoculant „B“ increased significantly (P<0.01) the contents of lactic acid (50.95±0.1.87 g/kg DM), acetic acid (18.61±0.34 g/kg DM), sum of acids (69.55±1.62 g/kg DM) and decreased (P<0.01) in the first trial the ethanol content (5.41±0.45 g/kg DM). The highest DM content (P<0.01) was in all experimental inoculated silages with additive „A“ (54.26±0.86%, and 53.56±0.54%, resp.). The bacterial inoculant „A“ increased significantly (P<0.01) in comparison with control silage in the second trial the content of lactic acid (34.66Ī2.81 g/kg DM), sum of acids (44.68±3.54 g/kg DM), the total acids content (32.87±2.88 g/kg DM), and ethanol content (17.33±0.79 g/kg DM). The inoculation positive effect was demonstrated in reduction of ethanol amount and of total acid production. The pH value of inoculated silages was not significantly lower than that in the control silage.

Keywords

• crushed maize ears
• moisture grain corn
• fermentation
• microbial inoculant
• silage quality
• silage making