•  
  •  
 

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

DOI

-

Abstract

This research was carried out with the aim of improving the conservation and feed value characteristics of citrus pulps. In order to ensure and improve citrus pulp conservation even for short periods (1 week), several methods intended to inhibit yeast activity were examined. Orange and grapefruit pulps were used as feed materials and three heads of merino male yearlings fitted with rumen cannula were used as animal materials. Pulps were treated with Ca(OH)_2, NaOH, urea, sorbic acid, dehydration and blanching. After these treatments, pulps were ensiled in glass jars equipped with a lid that enabled gas release only. The jars were stored at 18 ± 2°C in laboratory conditions. Three jars from each treatment were sampled for chemical and microbiological analysis on days 5 and 90 of fermentation. At the end of the ensiling period (90 days), the rumen degradability characteristics of the pulps were determined. In conclusion, all of these treatments seemed to inhibit yeast activity, and therefore reduce ensiling losses. The mould, enterobacteria and clostridia, which also cause spoilage in silages, were eliminated from all silages. All treatments reduced ensiling losses and increased the ensilability and feed value characteristics of citrus pulp silages. However, the best results were achieved with blanching at 80°C and sorbic acid 0.1% treatments.

Keywords

Citrus pulps, Silage, Ensiling losses, Feed value

First Page

939

Last Page

945

Download

Share

COinS