Improving aerobic stability and biogas production of maize silage using silage additives.
The effects of air stress during storage, exposure to air at feed-out, and treatment with silage additives to enhance aerobic stability on methane production from maize silage were investigated at laboratory scale. Up to 17% of the methane potential of maize without additive was lost during seven days exposure to air on feed-out. Air stress during storage reduced aerobic stability and further increased methane losses. A chemical additive containing salts of benzoate and propionate, and inoculants containing heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria were effective to increase aerobic stability and resulted in up to 29% higher methane yields after exposure to air. Exclusion of air to the best possible extent and high aerobic stabilities should be primary objectives when ensiling biogas feedstocks.
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany. Electronic address: cherrmann@atb-potsdam.de.
Christiane
C
Herrmann
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
Christine
C
Idler
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
Monika
M
Heiermann
D000388:Air; D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry; D056804:Biofuels; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005285:Fermentation; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011422:Propionates / Q000737:chemistry; D012820:Silage; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D001565:Benzoates; D056804:Biofuels; D011422:Propionates; D008697:Methane
Aerobic deterioration; Anaerobic digestion; Biomass storage; Ensiling; Methane yield