IMPROVED FERMENTATION AND AEROBIC STABILITY OF ENSILED, HIGH-MOISTURECORN WITH THE USE OF PROPIONIBACTERIUM-ACIDIPROPIONICI

This study evaluated the effects of a bacterial bioinoculant that prod uced propionic acid on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stabil ity of ensiled, high moisture corn. Addition of Propionibacterium acid ipropionici DH42 (previously isolated from ensiled, high moisture corn ) increased propionic acid content [0.35 vs. 0.03 g/100 g of dry matte r (DM)] after ensiling for 42 d. In addition, corn treated with P. aci dipropionici DH42 had a greater acetic acid concentration, a lower pH, lower numbers of yeasts and molds, and a higher recovery of DM after ensiling for 42 d. The temperature of control corn increased after 3 d of aerobic exposure, and the temperature of corn treated with P. acid ipropionici DH42 remained unchanged from the ambient temperature. Afte r 5 d of aerobic exposure, pH and numbers of yeasts, molds, Acetobacte r spp., and total aerobic bacteria increased for the control corn, ind icating poorer aerobic stability. Propionic acid concentration was hig her (0.61 vs. 0 g/100 g of DM) after 5 d of aerobic exposure in high m oisture corn ensiled with P. acidipropionici DH42. In addition, recove ry of organic matter from inoculated corn was greater after 5 d of aer obic exposure. Inoculation of high moisture corn with P. acidipropioni ci DH42 improved fermentation during ensiling and reduced the aerobic instability of ensiled, high moisture corn.