Preservation of silage effluent

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Abstract
Three experiments have been carried out to investigate the storage of silage effluent and the value of formalin, formic acid and sulphur dioxide as preservatives. In the third experiment treatment with formalin was compared with sealing treatments using liquid paraffin, maize oil or polythene. This experiment was conducted on effluents with initial pH values of 3.8 and 4.6. All treatments except those sealed with polythene were challenged with a mould spore culture. The results obtained show that formic acid, formalin or sulphur dioxide can preserve silage effluent under aerobic conditions and appear to control mould growth. The higher the level of preservative the longer the interval to the onset of mould growth. None of the chemical measurements indicated when moulding would occur. Sealing provided an alternative storage method to chemical treatment and was particularly suitable when the pH of the effluent was higher than 4.5. The onset of mould growth appeared to accelerate the rate of chemical change in effluent.