Implicações do uso de aditivos sobre as características fermentativas de silagens de mucilagem de sisal

Abstract

The modernization of food processing provided an increase in production of agroindustrial residues, boosting the search for alternatives of proper disposal, such as their utilization as feedstuff for ruminants. Among these agroindustrial residues, there is mucilage resultant from sisal shredding. The inadequate disposal ofthis material can cause great environmental damage, justifying the present study, which intents to better use this residue. The ensilage appears as an alternative to conserve it, but due to the high humidity that the residue presents, it is suggested that they might be ensiled with additives aiming to increase dry matter content for success of the process. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of storage time of silages on the chemical composition and microbiology in the ensilage process after silos opening. The experiment was carried out at the Animal Science Department of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (URFPE), Recife (PE). Forty-eight experimental silos were used, distributed in experimental treatments that consisted of: mucilage of sisal shredding (MUSS), MUSS silage with corn meal (MUDS-CB), MUSS silage with wheat meal (MUSS-WB), and MUSS silage with cottonseed meal (MUSS-CM). To evaluate the fermentation pattern, the silos were opened at 7, 14, 30 and 60 days post-ensiling. Samples were collected from both mixtures and ingredients separately from about 500 g of sisal mucilage silages at all opening times of the silos (7, 14, 30 and 60 days) and from material in natura (time 0). Bromatological analyzes were performed, as well as ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH 3) and determination of organic acids. There was an effect (P <0.05) of storage time on DM content when the additives were used (ground corn, wheat bran and cottonseed) compared to the control treatment (without additive). When analyzing the other variables (DM, pH, Organic acids), it was observed that the treatment MUSS with corn meal or MUSS with wheat meal were the most effective in the conservation of the residue in the silage form, being the decision of choosing one of the additives based on their market price.