PRESERVATION AND PROCESSING OF WHOLE HIGH MOISTURE SHELLED CORN WITH AMMONIA

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Abstract
Whole high moisture shelled corn (28% moisture) was treated with varying levels of anhydrous ammonia and stored in plastic-lined drums for 60 days at room temperature. Application of 2% (dry matter basis) ammonia successfully eliminated growth of fungi while also reducing bacterial counts. Microbial counts increased only slightly after exposing the stored corn to air for 7 days. Nitrogen content of the corn increased with ammoniation up to the 2% treatment level. At this level, 35% of the nitrogen that was added as ammonia was retained following exposure to air. Only 56% of this nitrogen was solubilized by rumen fluid. However, pepsin solubilized at least all of the added nitrogen. Rate of starch degradation by Agidex (amyloglucosidase) decreased with increasing levels of ammonia. Similarly, incubation of ground corn in nylon bags placed in rumens of steers indicated slower rates of dry matter disappearance with the higher levels of anhydrous ammonia. Untreated whole corn was digested little even after 48 h incubation using the nylon bag technique. However, 80%) of the dry matter disappeared after 48 h incubation with whole corn processed with 2% ammonia.

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