Fermented Processes
Why good quality silage makes a difference in your life?
VOLUME III - 2019
Many people are unaware that, like humans, ruminants also consume preserved feeds. The forage plants conservation process is known as silage. Silage is the product of a fermentative process dominated by lactic acid bacteria and occurs in the oxygen absence.
The technology involved in the process of silage production is increasing, from the launch of new hybrids, harvesting machinery, silos, cover sheets and especially microbial inoculants. This technology seeks the production of quality silage, since this quality has a direct influence on the milk and meat produced and consequently on the profitability of the production. The quality of products of animal origin depends to a large extent on the quality of the feed offered to the animals. In the case of silages, the microorganisms present in this feed depend on the appropriate fermentation process and also the handling during the production.
Besides lactic bacteria, other microorganisms can influence the quality of silage, but in a negative way. Some groups of microorganisms, such as Listeria and Clostridium, can alter the fermentation process, reducing the degree of conservation of silage, and also cause diseases to the animals that consume this silage, such as listeriosis (L. monocytogenes) and botulism (C. botulinum). Currently there is an increased interest of researching the production of mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone and ochratoxin) during the ensiling process. Mycotoxins are compounds produced under specific conditions by some species of filamentous fungi and have different levels of toxicity. The presence of mycotoxins impairs the health of animals that ingest contaminated feed, resulting in economic losses. These mycotoxins also affect humans by transferring these substances to meat and milk.
In recent years there has been an increase in consumer awareness and with this the demand for animal products with greater safety of sanitary quality. Thus, in addition to seeking high productivity rates, the producer has been concerned with the product quality. New research on silage processes is essential, since it can provide producers information that may improve production efficiency and also ensure sanitary quality of animal products.
Beatriz F. Carvalho and Gustavo F. C. Sales
NEWSLETTER
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