The effects of TWO different storage conditions and periods on nutrient matters and some microbiological agents of wet sugar beet pulp

This research was planned to determine the quality in terms of the nutrient levels, nutrient matters' in vitro digestion and some microbiological agents of the sugar beet pulp which is consumed as animal feed. For this purpose, samples were taken from the first production samples of the wet sugar beet pulp in the sugar factory (Control; 5 samples) and from sacks that fresh packaged of the packaging manufacturer (Packaged Control; 5 samples). In addition, two more times with intervals of approximately one month, the sugar beet pulp (SPP) samples were collected from predetermined livestock enterprises that saved as packaged (10 pieces packaged SPP samples; 10 different enterprises,) and kept as surrounded with a nylon outside near the barn (10 pieces non packaged SPP samples; 10 different enterprises). Dry matter (DM), crude ash, ether extract, crude protein (CP), crude cellulose and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels of the collected samples were determined. The Non-Packaged group when compared with the Packaged group, it was determined that there was an increase in the DM, crude cellulose and NDF levels and, a decrease in CP level. It was determined that DM digestion of the Non-Packaged group was significantly lower than the packaged group at first (P<0.05) and second (P<0.01) month. In vitro DM digestion of the Packaged group was found to be similar to the Control groups. The in vitro digestion of organic matter (OM) of the Non-packaged group was found to be significant lower when compared to Control and Packaged groups at the 1st month (P<0.01). However, in vitro digestion of OM in the Non-packaged group in the 2nd month was found to be significantly lower than that of the Control group (P<0.01), while it was found to be similar to the Packaged group. The pH of the Packaged group was significantly lower than that of the Non-packaged group at the end of 1st and 2nd months (P<0.01). The yeast- mold count of Non-packaged and Packaged groups at the end of 1st and 2nd month were determined that 4.61, 1.60 and 4.83, 1.26 log10 kob/g, respectively (P<0.01). E.coli, only in the Non-packaged group, was determined as 1.48 (at the 1st month) and 1.53 (at the 2nd month) log10 kob/g. The identification of E.coli O157 from E.coli positive samples of Non-packaged group were done, but there weren't detected the E.coli O157. In addition, it was not found Listeria monocytogenes and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) in all groups. As a result, it was determined that the use of packaged wet sugar beet pulp was better than the Non-packaged groups in terms of the levels of crude nutrients, in vitro digestion and microorganisms. Key Words: Wet Sugar Beet Pulp, Storage Conditions, Crude Nutrients, Aflatoxin, E coli, Listeria monocytogenes