title: Short communication: Use of a mixture of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate in aerobically challenged silages.
abstract: Aerobic instability is still a common problem with many types of silages, particularly well-fermented silages. This study evaluated the effect of adding an additive mixture based on sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate to a variety of crop materials on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of silages. Ensiling conditions were challenged by using a low packing density (104±4.3kg of dry matter/m(3)) of forage and allowing air ingression into silos (at 14 and 7 d before the end of the storage, for 8 h per event). Additive-treated silages were found to have significantly lower pH and reduced formation of ammonia-N, 2.3-butanediol, and ethanol compared with untreated control silages. Yeast growth was significantly reduced by additive treatment in comparison with untreated control silage. Consequently, additive-treated silages were considerably more aerobically stable (6.7 d) than untreated control silages (0.5 d). Overall, adding 5mL/kg of fresh crop of the additive based on sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate reduced undesirable microorganisms in silages and thereby provided suitable ensiling conditions and prolonged aerobic stability, even under air-challenged laboratory ensiling conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knicky
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: rolf.sporndly@slu.se.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spörndly
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012820:Silage / Q000032:analysis*; D020160:Sodium Benzoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D012977:Sodium Nitrite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012977:Sodium Nitrite; D020160:Sodium Benzoate; D013011:Sorbic Acid
keywords: additive; silage; stability; yeast