TY - JOUR T1 - Effect of Inoculants and Enzymes on the Fermentation Characteristics, in vitro Digestibility and Aflatoxin of Corn Silage AU - Zhu, Yu AU - Risu, Na AU - Liying, Han AU - Xiaoqing, Zhang JO - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances VL - 12 IS - 8 SP - 876 EP - 881 PY - 2013 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1680-5593 DO - javaa.2013.876.881 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2013.876.881 KW - Corn silage KW -bacterial inoculants KW -enzymes KW -aflatoxin KW -mold AB - Two additives (bacterial inoculants and enzymes) were tested for their effects on fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility, mold counts and aflatoxin content of corn silages. Whole plant corn (one half milk line) was ensiled after the following treatments: untreated (CON); bacterial inoculants (B) at 105 CFU g-1 of fresh forage; Enzymes (E) at 100 U g-1 of fresh forage; mixture of bacterial inoculants and enzymes at 105 CFU g-1 and 100 U g-1 of fresh forage, respectively (B+E). All the additives influenced the lactic acid, acetic acid, ammoniacal nitrogen content and In vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) (p<0.05). The E and B+E influenced the Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) content, In Vitro Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility (IVNDFD) and In Vitro Crude Protein Digestibility (IVCPD) (p<0.05). Aflatoxin content and mold counts for treated silage were lower than untreated silage (p<0.05) throughout the air exposure stages (0, 1, 5 and 10 days). Aflatoxin content was below the detection limit (0.01 ppb) in B treated silage after 0 day exposure to air and in B+E throughout the air exposure stages. Researchers recommend the application rates of enzymes at 100 U g-1 of fresh forage or bacterial inoculants plus enzymes at 105 CFU g-1 and 100 U g-1 of fresh forage, respectively to improve fermentation quality and aerobic stability of corn silage. ER -