The effects of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and sodium nitrate mixtures on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability in sunflower silages

This study was carried out to determine the effects of the use of an additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite as active ingredients on the fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability, relative feed value (RFV), aerobic stability and in vitro nutrition digestibility of sunflower silages. In the study, an additive containing sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and sodium nitrate in its composition was used as a silage preservative. The study was carried out in 4 groups formed by adding control without additive, 0.5, 1 and 2 ml/kg silage preservative. After the addition of the additives, approximately 500 g of sample was placed in plastic bags and compressed. A total of 24 packages, six for each group, were allowed to ferment for 60 days in laboratory conditions (20 °C). All silages were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses on day 60 after ensiling. . At the end of the ensiling period, all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 7 days. In addition, RFV and in vitro nutrition digestibilities of those silages were determined. As a result, the mixture of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and sodium nitrate added to the sunflower silage decreased the pH values, ammonia nitrogen and dry matter losses in the silages, while increasing the lactic and acetic acid contents. However, the silage preservative showed high antibacterial activity, decreased the yeast counts and CO2 production of the silages during the 7-day aerobic period and improved their aerobic stability.