Possible Use of Sorbic Acid as a Preservative for Corn Silage

Abstract

MANY types of preservatives such as ground cereals, sugar beet pulp and molasses are employed to preserve silage in the best possible condition. These preservatives are high in fermentable carbohydrates which help to stimulate lactic acid fermentation. Some farmers have been using hydrochloric and sulphuric acids to control the protein breakdown which gives an unpleasant smell to silage. The use of ground cereals is uneconomical. Beet pulp and molasses are available only in certain places and usually in limited supply. Inorganic acids like hydrochloric or sulphuric are strong acids, and, from the point of view of farmers, they have been difficult to handle and distribute in the silo. Likewise, such acids produce deleterious effects on the digestive system of farm animals. Virtanen¹ reported that there is a need for a suitable and cheap organic acid for silage-making with acids.