THE SEALED STORAGE OF MOIST FLAX WITH AND WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICALPRESERVATIVES

The suitability of ensilage as a means of preserving flax was investig ated in a series of experiments in which 400 kg round bales of fresh f lax were sealed in polyethylene film or plastic wrapped, with or witho ut the addition of formic acid at 2.5 litre t(-1) or formalin at 5.6 l itre t(-1) at the time of baling. Plastic wrapping provided a more eff ective seal than the bags which were easily punctured by the flax root s resulting in moulding and deterioration of the flax. Where the seal was not broken untreated flax underwent a clostridial fermentation and the pH fell to about 4.8. Cellulolytic activity degraded the flax fib re over a period of 3 to 6 months. The addition of formic acid reduced the cellulolytic activity provided the seal was not broken. In an exp eriment with 4 kg batches of flax of 65%, 40% or 25% MC sealed in poly ethylene film, the addition of formic or propionic acids at 20 g kg(-1 ) DM did not prevent moulding and deterioration, but both NH3 and SO2 at 40 g kg(-1) DM preserved the physical structure of the flax. The NH 3 darkened the flax and made it pliable and unscutchable while the SO2 bleached it and preserved the fibre without microbiological deteriora tion. The presence of acids on the moist stored flax appeared to inhib it the progress of normal water retting.