The effect of cellulase preparations on the chemical changes during the ensilage of grass in laboratory silos

Abstract

Abstract Three experiments are described. In the first, cellulase prepared from Aspergillus niger was added at the rate of 4 g/kg to herbage treated with a variety of silage additives, formic acid, caproic acid, formalin, sodium metabisulphite and zinc bacitracin. The lowest cellulose contents and highest residual water soluble carbohydrate contents were found in the silages treated with formic acid and cellulase. Formic acid was included as a treatment in subsequent experiments. In the second experiment, the enzyme was added to herbage at two levels, 1.0 g/kg fresh grass and 4.0 g/kg fresh grass. Cellulose contents of the silages were significantly lower after 61 days at the higher rate of application of the enzyme. In the third experiment, two enzymes produced from Aspergillus niger were compared with two enzymes derived from Trichoderma viride. Under the conditions of the experiment the cellulase enzymes produced from T. viride were more active.