Methylene-bis-Propionate Preservation of High-Moisture Corn

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Abstract
Methylene-bis-propionate (MBP) was compared to a 15% formaldehyde solution (FOR) and propionic acid (PA) as a preservative for high-moisture corn (HMC). In a field trial, MBP, FOR and PA at concentrations of .78%, 1.00% and .80% (wt preservative/wt corn), respectively, were applied to 70.4 (2,000 bu) lots of freshly harvested yellow dent corn (20 to 26%) moisture). Microbiological changes were evaluated throughout 240 days of storage in concrete silos, and the performance of 25 feedlot heifers was determined on corn treated with each of the preservatives. MBP exhibited superior antifungal and antibacterial properties throughout storage, whereas FOR controlled fungi and bacteria less than 20 days. PA controlled microbial activity during most of storage but was less effective than MBP. Average daily gain (kg) and feed-to-gain ratio for the respective (MBP, FOR and PA) rations were: 1.00 and 6.78, .97 and 6.85 and 1.10 and 6.04. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the fat of MBP on HMC. MBP broke down to PA and formaldehyde within 9 hr after contacting the wet grain. This breakdown appears to be a hydrolytic process which is catalyzed by a heat-sensitive substance. Minimum levels of MBP preserved high-moisture corn in laboratory tests longer than mixtures of PA and FOR. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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